Fresh call for return of Gospels

The manuscript was produced by monks on Lindisfarne

There have been fresh calls for the Lindisfarne Gospels to be returned to the north-east of England.

Campaigners say the famous manuscripts should be housed on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where they were produced by monks in the seventh century.

But London's British Library insists the Gospels must stay in the capital, where more people can view them.

Gateshead East and Washington West MP Joyce Quin raised the issue in the House of Commons.

She asked Arts Minister Estelle Morris: "Will my Right Honourable Friend join me in congratulating Tyne and Wear Museums on the record visitor numbers that they have achieved and the way in which they have promoted social inclusion?

'National leader'

"Does she agree that that success would be further enhanced if there were a regular, or better still, a permanent display of the Lindisfarne Gospels in the region??"

Ms Morris said she would be happy to meet Ms Quin to discuss the matter but said it was not her decision.

She said: "I am delighted with Tyne and Wear Museums. They are a national leader in work on regeneration and social inclusion.

"I am sure that she would acknowledge that the more than £6m that the government has given Tyne and Wear museums through the renaissance in the regions project has gone a long way to help that, but the plaudits really go to them for the initiatives that they have taken."