ONE of the region's most popular tourist attractions was popping the champagne corks yesterday for a landmark celebration.

The Jorvik Viking Centre, in York, welcomed its 12 millionth visitor just after 10.30am - and the milestone brought an unexpected surprise for a family from Chichester, Sussex. Matthew Eagles, 13, was given VIP treatment as the lucky visitor, together with 11-year-old sister Jenny and parents Elaine and John.

The family were given tickets for a weekend break in the Viking homeland of Norway and a behind-the-scenes tour of the centre. Mrs Eagles said: "The trip to Norway sounds wonderful. It's only a few days ago I was saying how nice it would be to visit the country. We're all delighted."

Director of attractions for York Archaeological Trust, Richard Kemp, said: "To have reached ten million visitors four years ago was excellent. However, to have sustained visitor levels of more than half a million per year, even with increased competition from new attractions, is a credit to staff and demonstrates the popularity of the Vikings."

Visitor number 12 million arrived nearly a month ahead of predictions earlier in the year.