Chester-le-Street'S historic town centre has been designated a conservation area.

The town that was home to a Roman cavalry station and was the place where the Lindisfarne Gospels were first translated has been granted conservation area status to ensure its historic nature is preserved.

The status means that any alterations or new developments within the conservation boundaries will be subject to strict scrutiny.

Building or renovation work will have to meet certain standards and blend in with the area's character.

Gillian King, from Chester-le-Street District Council's planning department, said: "It's a way to try and get people to recognise the importance of the history of Chester-le-Street.

"As well as improving the appearance of the shopping centre, it will also help to regenerate the town."

The town will received financial help from English Heritage that will allow the owners of commercial properties to apply for funds to help to meet the cost of repairs and restoring original building features.

Under the Heritage Economic Regeneration scheme, up to 70 per cent of the cost of work can be met and the money is released over a three-year period.

Alex Nelson, from Chester-le-Street Traders' Association, said: "We are delighted to see that the town centre has been recognised as a site worth preserving.

"It should help to attract more visitors."

Work is currently under way to create a heritage trail through the town.

The walk, marked out with replicas of ancient coins dug up in the town, will take in most landmarks and cover its Roman, Anglo-Saxon and industrial past.

Various organisations including the district council, local history groups and traders' associations have helped to devise the heritage trail, which should be launched sometime in the near future.

In Saxon times, the town overshadowed Durham as a Christian power base. Pilgrims came from across Europe to see St Cuthbert's body, which was preserved in St Mary and St Cuthbert's Church before being moved to Durham.

It was also the place where the Gospels were translated and previous to that was believed to be a Roman cavalry base.