Gospels books donated to region

Copies of the latest publication on the historic gospels, Painted Labyrinth: the world of the Lindisfarne Gospels, by Dr Michelle Brown, will be given to schools, libraries, museums and archives.

The book, whose author is curator of illuminated manuscripts at the British Library and a world-renowned expert on the Gospels, is published to mark a major exhibition on them at the London library, which runs until September 28.

News of the gift follows last month's arrival of expensive copies of the Gospels at Durham Cathedral and the Heritage Centre at Lindisfarne, Northumberland, where they were written by early medieval monks.

The British Library commissioned the copies after campaigners called for the originals to be returned to the region.

Lynne Brindley, chief executive of the British Library, permanent home of the Lindisfarne Gospels, said it was committed to sharing them with the North-East.

"I want as many people as possible to share our pleasure and pride in the Lindisfarne Gospels and our great excitement about our new exhibition celebrating the Gospels," she said.

The North-East Museums, Libraries and Archives Council is working with the British Library to improve access to the Gospels.

Its chief executive, Sue Underwood, said: "For people in the North-East, the Lindisfarne Gospels are a magnificent example of the region's rich heritage, creative spirit and outward-looking nature.

"These books, along with school resources, technology and facsimile pages, as well as the recent exhibition which brought the Gospels to the Laing Art Gallery, in Newcastle, demonstrate our commitment to making the Gospels more accessible to people in the North-East."

The distribution of Painted Labyrinth is one of several initiatives celebrating the Lindisfarne Gospels to be unveiled over the next few months, including the provision of 40 resource boxes for teachers and the creation of a schools website, at: www.lindisfarnegospels.org