A NORTH-EAST council has joined a campaign by The Northern Echo and Bishop Auckland Civic Society to keep treasured paintings in the region.

Wear Valley District Council is sending a letter of protest to the Church Commissioners, who could decide later this month to sell off a collection of portraits housed in the Bishop of Durham's home, Auckland Castle, for 250 years.

The Church of England denies that any decision has been taken over the future of the 13 life-sized paintings of Jacob and his Twelve Sons, by 17th Century Spanish artist Francisco de Zurburan.

But some members of the church commission's board of governors are known to favour selling the collection, to subsidise cash-strapped parishes.

Values of up to £20m have been suggested for the artworks, but £5m is thought to be a more realistic figure.

Wear Valley council leader Olive Brown acted quickly in response to the Northern Echo's campaign.

She said: "This collection is unique and an important part of Wear Valley's heritage. It must not be lost. We need everything we can to encourage visitors to come to our district, and the Zurburans are a wonderful attraction."

The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull, is keen for the collection to remain in the North-East.

His spokesman, the Reverend Stephen Conway, said: "The Bishop of Durham obviously supports the church commissioners in fulfilling charitable obligations.

"But it doesn't necessarily follow that the best use of them would be to put them up for sale.

"Even if a decision were made not to sell, there's a good case for the commissioners getting together with the art world to look at ways in which the paintings could be moved from Auckland Castle to be cared for in a more accessible gallery or museum, which would then take responsibility for insurance and security."