THE rich history of early medieval learning in the North-East is reflected in three new stained glass windows which were unveiled at the weekend.

Advent was chosen as a suitable occasion to reveal the specially-commissioned windows at Bede's World Museum, in Jarrow, Tyneside.

The Mayor of Jarrow, councillor Alan Kerr, performed the ceremony at the museum, which is devoted to the work of Bede and other early medieval saints of Northumbria.

Each of the themes in the windows is inspired by Bede and the monks who lived and worked at the twin monasteries of St Paul's, alongside the museum site, and at St Peter's in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, in the 7th Century.

Artist Paul Georgiou described it as "one of the most unusual and exciting designs" he has created in his 20 years of working with glass. He drew inspiration from artefacts from what has become known as "Northumbria's Golden Age", including the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Whitby Cross.

As part of Saturday's unveiling, there were activities for visitors, including giant jigsaws based on other stained glass windows at Bede's World.