Gospel campaign marks saint's day

The gospels were created by monks on Lindisfarne

Campaigners calling for the Lindisfarne Gospels to have a permanent home in the North East of England are marching on a day dedicated to a regional saint.

The Northumbrian Association is marking St Cuthbert's Day by also unveiling a petition demanding the return of the historic manuscripts.

The Lindisfarne Gospels, which were written by monks on the island, are currently held at the British Library.

Campaigners were marching from Chester-le-Street to Durham Cathedral.

A number of local MPs have expressed their support and added their names to the petition.

'Inextricably linked'

The gospels were produced around 715-720 AD by Eadfrith, Bishop of Lindisfarne, and are regarded as one of the most important books in history.

The Northumbrian Association is calling for their return to a permanent home on Lindisfarne.

Mike Tickell, chair of the association, said: "When the gospels were exhibited here seven or eight years ago 200,000 people came to see them in a very short period of time. Many of them were young people and schoolchildren.

"They are much more significant and relevant to our young people because there are the connections with Lindisfarne and Durham Cathedral, where they were for all those hundreds of years, and are inextricably linked with St Cuthbert."

The gospels are dedicated to St Cuthbert, who rose from humble beginnings to become Bishop of Lindisfarne.

Following his death in 687 his tomb on the island became a magnet for pilgrims and a number of miracles were attributed to him.

His remains were moved following the threat of Viking raids and eventually found a permanent home at Durham Cathedral.

St Cuthbert's Day on 20 March marks the anniversary of his death.