STAFF at Durham University are celebrating after its largest chapel, an art-deco building in the grounds of one of its colleges, was given listed status.

The Anglican chapel of the Venerable Bede, in the riverside grounds of St Hild and St Bede College, is now a grade II-listed building in honour of its architectural and historic importance.

The chapel dates back to the beginning of the Second World War and has been the venue for the weddings of many former Hild-Bede students.

The chapel was designed by Seeley and Paget, leading art-deco and church architects during the mid-20th Century, and was originally constructed in the grounds of what was the College of the Venerable Bede, in celebration of its centenary as a Church of England teacher training school.

Hild-Bede chaplain, the Reverend Jonathan Lawson, said: "The chapel has played a central part in the spiritual life of Hild-Bede since 1939.

"This is still the case now with a recent special service for Hild-Bede societies seeing more than 50 students attend. Resurrecting a long-standing, annual tradition, Hild-Bede societies came together to the chapel, bringing an object symbolic of their society to receive a blessing.

"Students brought everything from rowing blades, to basket balls, to moose mascots in representing over half a dozen societies."

The university's Chancellor, American author Bill Bryson, said: "It is tremendous news that one of Durham's many beautiful buildings has been acknowledged in this way.

"Durham is widely renowned for its magnificent buildings, rich in history and impressive in architecture.

"I have a great love for Durham and am so pleased that Hild-Bede chapel, a structure which exemplifies the beauty of the city's buildings, has been given the recognition it deserves."

Grade II-listing gives buildings protection from demolition or drastic alteration.

James Purnell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: "The chapel is of special architectural and historic interest for its outstanding design and excellent detailing by one of the leading national architectural practices of the time.

"This chapel fully meets the criteria for listing 20th Century place of worship in a national context.