THE North’s leading university has been given nearly £500,000 in Lottery funding to help make this summer’s return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to the region a winning ticket.

Durham University has today (Monday, March 25) been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of £487,000 for the Lindisfarne Gospels Durham 2013 and Beyond project.

Up to 200,000 people are expected to see the priceless medieval manuscript when it is loaned to Durham from the British Library for three months starting in July.

The HLF funding will pay for associated educational events, community engagement and the regionwide festival planned to mark the much-anticipated exhibition.

Dr Keith Bartlett, the programme director, said: “We are delighted that the HLF has provided this investment.

“Lindisfarne Gospels Durham will be at the heart of a North-East-wide celebration of the region’s cultural heritage.

“The project aims to provide opportunities for everyone across the North-East to learn about our most famous saint, St Cuthbert, and the creation and importance of this awe-inspiring manuscript.”

Ivor Crowther, head of HLF North East, said: “We at the HLF are delighted to be supporting Durham University and their plans to create an exciting learning and volunteering programme around the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition happening this summer.

“Local people and visitors alike will now have a fantastic chance to explore, interact with and enjoy the rich history of the Gospels, their journey from Holy Island to Durham and the hugely significant role they have played in the North-East’s Christian heritage.”

Durham University will host the Gospels exhibition in its Palace Green Library, with support from Durham Cathedral, Durham County Council and others.

Professor Chris Higgins, vice-chancellor of Durham University, said the Lindisfarne Gospels was a most remarkable book and uniquely important in the art, culture and Christian heritage of the North-East.

The exhibition will also include the St Cuthbert Gospel, Europe’s oldest surviving book, and numerous other treasures.

Tickets for the exhibition, priced £7.50 for adults and £6.50 for concessions, are on sale now. To book, visit lindisfarnegospels.com, call Ticketmaster on 0844-248-2013 or visit Palace Green Library.