The ninth centenary of a northern saint's preserved remains being committed to a shrine will be celebrated with a series of events at Durham Cathedral next weekend.

Saturday marks the 900th anniversary of what has become known as the Translation of the Relics of St Cuthbert at the cathedral. The remains were placed in the shrine in the unfinished cathedral, built in St Cuthbert's honour, 418 years after the saint's death on Lindisfarne.

It marked the end of lengthy journeys round the North-East by Benedicitine monks, seeking a suitable final resting place for the remains free from the threat from Viking invaders.

Legend says that when his coffin was opened prior to the translation into the shrine, Cuthbert's remains were undecayed.

It led to the cathedral becoming a key venue for pilgrims from across the north for coming centuries.

Cathedral chapter steward Anne Heywood said the anniversary was cause for a weekend cele bration to which the public at large are invited to visit the cathedral.

"It's an opportunity to celebrate not only the life, work and influence of St Cuthbert, but the wonder of the cathedral itself," said Ms Heywood. She said it almost, "defies belief" that the east end, quire and both transepts of the cathedral had been completed after just 11 years of construction in time for the laying of Cuthbert's remains in the shrine, on September 4, 1104.

Weekend events begin with a pilgrimage around the cathedral, starting at 8pm as darkness falls for quiet contemplation, on Friday evening. Saturday's programme begins with Holy Communion at the shrine, at 7.30am and 12.30pm, with the second service taken by the Bishop of Beverley.

Professor David Rollason, of Durham University, will give a lecture, on the translation, in the nave of the cathedral, at 3pm.

The main celebratory service will be at 5.15pm, with a procession from the cloisters ending at the shrine.

The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Tom Wright, will be the preacher, with a performance by the Buxton Madrigal Singers, as visiting choir for the weekend.

Sunday services will follow the usual pattern, with Bishop Stephen Sykes preaching at the 11.15am Festival Sung Eucharist and the music reflecting the mood of celebration and thanksgiving.

The exhibition of the work of esteemed local sculptor Fenwick Lawson will continue over the weekend, while the treasures, the Monk's Dormitory, plus audio-visual displays and the Building the Cathedral exhibition will all be open free of charge.

Further information is available on the cathedral website www.durhamcathedral.co.uk.