CAMPAIGNERS in Shetland have vowed to continue fighting to allow women to take part in a male-only Viking festival.

The annual Up Helly Aa event takes place in Lerwick every January and sees 1000 men and boys march through the streets of the town before hurling flaming torches onto a Viking longboat.

Women are not allowed to take part despite stories of female warriors in Viking folklore, and other communities in the region allowing female participation.

A row erupted after the Up Helly Aa for Aa campaign group complained that the council was letting “jarl squads” – the teams dressed up as Vikings – visit schools.

Campaigners wrote to the organisers of the junior Up Helly Aa event after four female Anderson High school pupils had their applications to join the parade rejected.

Sally Huband, leader of the campaign group, said: “The fact remains there are females in Shetland who wish to participate but who are being prevented from doing so solely because they are women or girls.”

She added: “One of our main concerns is the message that is being sent out to schoolchildren and young people who are preparing for their future participation in a modern society which does not accept exclusion from events and festivals on the grounds of one of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, whatever the justification may be.

“Shetland should not become known as the one place in the country where discrimination is permitted and in fact encouraged by the local authority.”

But council bosses said opening up the schools did not breach equality laws.

Shetland Isles Council chief executive Maggie Sandison said she was “very well aware that there are strong feelings” regarding the festival.

She continued: “It is not for Shetland Islands Council to pass judgement on how other organisations run their own business, but I did want to be assured that, as an organisation, the council acts and behaves appropriately in this respect.

“I am satisfied that this is the case.

“However, this has given us a welcome opportunity to clarify some existing guidance, particularly for our schools, on issues such as visits from jarl squads.”

“While I understand the outcome of this may not be universally welcome, I can reassure everyone that we do have a robust system in place to make sure every complaint is taken seriously, and handled with care.”

Up Helly Aa organisers have been contacted for comment.