MERCHANDISE designed by Knutsford Heritage Centre and modelled by Knutsford Academy students is selling like ‘hot cakes’.

The Heritage Centre t-shirts, which show the face of King Canute, have been sported by Academy students Ellie Bashford and Cameron Cook for promotional shots and have been so popular that another batch has been ordered.

The t-shirts and other Canute keep sakes, including specially commissioned Viking mugs, have already been a hit at the Monthly Makers Market, where the Heritage Centre is sharing a stall with Knutsford Town Council to promote the anniversary.

Val Bryant, Knutsford Heritage Centre Director and Trustee, said: “Canute is usually portrayed as an old man, but actually he was only in his early twenties when he led the re-invasion of England and became King.

“We wanted the design we commissioned to reflect that.

“The helmet is based on the only one from the Viking age that’s ever been found. It was discovered in Norway during the Second World War – and doesn’t have horns. The way the hair is depicted echoes the curve of the helmet and subtly alludes to the shape of the bow of a Viking longship.”

The navy blue t-shirts are available a range of men’s, women’s and children’s sizes, and are part of a range of exclusive Canute branded products on sale in the Heritage Centre gift shop.

Other items include a variety of books on Viking themes, one of which was specially produced to mark Canute’s thousandth anniversary by Knutsford children’s author and illustrator Tim Claydon-Butler.

“We have been overwhelmed by interest in Canute, and the T-shirts at the Makers Market at events like Royal May Day and at the Heritage Centre, which is great publicity for the town,” added Diane Lomax, centre trustee.

For the summer, the Heritage Centre is open on Sunday afternoons from 2pm to 5pm and on Saturdays and weekdays except Monday from 11am to 4pm.

The next commemorative Canute event is the Big Viking Weekend on June 18 and 19.