AN explorer and a Viking warrior were in Redcar to help the town to mark its Yorkshire roots with a special reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity.

Captain James Cook, played by Chris Foote Wood, read it out in modern English while Viking warrior, John Curr, read it out in Old Norse in front of the town’s clock tower on the High Street.

The Declaration reading, at 11.39am today (Friday, August 1) – marking 1,139 years since the Yorkshire ridings were first recognised back in Viking times, played a central part in the town’s celebration of Yorkshire Day.

Market stallholders and local businesses adopted the Yorkshire theme for the day, producing and selling traditional Yorkshire treats such as curd tarts, parkin, cakes and Yorkshire puddings.

Children’s entertainment and live music was on throughout the day.

Silk white roses were also on sale at £1 with all proceeds going to Redcar Lifeboat.