Copy of Gospels returns to North

The book features the first English translation of the Bible gospels

People living in north-east England have a chance to see a copy of one of Britain's most famous texts.

An exhibition featuring a copy of the Lindisfarne Gospels opens at Bede's World in South Tyneside on Saturday.

It is part of a tour to give people the chance to see what has been described as one of the most extraordinary works of religious art ever made.

The gospels are believed to have been produced around 715-720 AD by Eadfrith, Bishop of Lindisfarne.

The Lindisfarne Gospels facsimile tour has been put together by the British Library in London and North East Museums Libraries and Archives Council.

The original gospels are in the British Library despite an ongoing campaign to return them to the North East.

The gospels are widely regarded as one of the most important books in British history.

The gospels used revolutionary printing techniques

They detail the rise of a coherent British society around the legend of St Cuthbert, the patron saint of Northumbria.

Bede's World curator Laura Sole said the centre was a very appropriate setting for the beginning of the tour.

She said: "The Lindisfarne Gospels were written during Bede's own lifetime, he may even have advised on the text.

"The monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow introduced artistic ideas to Northumbria which formed part of the inspiration of Eadfrith, the artist scribe of the Gospels."

Other events, including lectures, are taking place to support the exhibition which continues until 30 January 2005.