ARCHIVE photographs of what became a fateful British Everest expedition have gone on show in the North-East.

A selection of pictures taken by expedition member Bentley Beetham, a master at Barnard Castle School, feature in a Tibetan theme display at Durham's Oriental Museum.

Images of Tibet features shots of everyday life in the central Asian country as the expedition passed through, bound for the foothills of the Himalayas.

Kevin McLoughlin, the museum's deputy curator, said: "These images offer a fascinating view of life in Tibet as encountered by the expedition.

"They capture something of the optimistic mood of the expedition members, before they encountered tragedy on the slopes of Everest."

Both expedition leaders Irving and Mallory perished, but Beetham survived, with his photographic account of the build-up, and lived until 1963 when he died aged 77.

Images of Tibet runs in conjunction with Radiant Transmission: Contemporary Masterpieces of Tibetan Buddhist Art.

The exhibition features modern paintings adopting the traditional Tibetan style of thangka, produced by artists in Nepal.

Among them are detailed Buddhist deities, intended to communicate enlightenment within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

Both can be viewed at the Oriental Museum, in Elvet Hill, Durham, until September 26.

The museum is open from 10am to 5pm, between Monday to Friday, and from noon to 5pm on Sundays. Entry is £1.50, or 75p for concessions, with family tickets for £3.50.

Published: 20/07/2004