PLANS to stage a re-enactment of the day Oxford was burned by Vikings look to have been extinguished after council chiefs poured cold water on the idea.

In April, historian Roger Jenking addressed a full city council meeting to ask for £5,000 to help commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of Oxford being torched by hordes of Vikings.

In 1009, Danish invaders wreaked revenge on Oxford following a national slaughter of Vikings ordered by the Anglo-Saxon King of England, Ethelred the Unready.

Although the city council has yet to formally consider the proposal, leader Bob Price said cash for the re-enactment was unlikely, as the authority had to prioritise its cultural spending after being forced to make £4.5m of savings in this year’s budget.

Mr Price, who became cabinet member for culture when Mary Clarkson was made Lord Mayor, said: “It’s unlikely to happen because we don’t have a budget of any size at all for events in the financial year 2009/10.

“Oxford’s history is so rich the Danish invasion isn’t the top-most thing that people will think about.

“We will certainly look at the proposals, but it’s unlikely they will get a high status over other competing options that will get public support.”

Mr Price said Mr Jenking’s proposals for a civic lecture on the Danish invasion were more financially feasible, if there was public interest.

But he said it was more important that key events like May Morning, Christmas, and the Lord Mayor’s Parade were funded first.

Mr Jenking, a retired history teacher, said he was disappointed Islip Parish Council could hold a Viking re-enactment to celebrate the opening of a new play area earlier this year, but the city council could not afford one.

The 61-year-old of Joan Lawrence Place, Headington, said: “It was the most traumatic event that has happened in our city’s history and it is part of the council’s remit to commemorate things like that.

“For not much outlay it would have been a hugely enjoyable event that would bring people together and they would get some entertainment and education.

“You can’t put a price on that.”