THE Bishop of Durham last night backed The Northern Echo's campaign to keep one of the Church of England's most valuable collection of paintings in the North-East.

The Right Reverend Mich-ael Turnbull revealed that he has already asked the Church Commissioners, who could decide later this month to sell 13 portraits displayed in his official residence, not to put them on the open market.

Instead, County Durham's Bowes Museum, near Barnard Castle, could be given the chance to buy the multi-million pound collection by 17th Century Spanish artist Francisco de Zurburan.

This would mean that the life-sized paintings of Jacob and his Twelve Sons could spend at least part of the year in its present home, the Long Dining Room, at Auckland Castle, where they were first hung by Bishop Richard Trevor 250 years ago.

Bishop Turnbull said yesterday: "I am pressing the commissioners, if they decide to dispose of them, that they don't necessarily put them on the open market, but discuss with the art world nationally whether funds could be found that will enable Bowes Museum, for example, to keep them there."

Bishop Auckland Civic Society is urging the commissioners to keep the Zurburans in their present home.

But the Bishop said: "I understand the strong feeling that there is about the paintings, but the bottom line that everybody must understand is that the Church Commissioners are answerable to Parliament.

"It is under an Act of Parliament that their responsibility is to provide money for members of the clergy of the Church of England.

"The diocese of Durham benefits more than any other diocese from this money.

"People must also understand that most of the clergy in Durham are working in deprived areas and housing estates where they make a huge contribution to North-East life.

"From time to time the commissioners must review all their investments, including the Zurburans. They must take into consideration the high cost of security and insurance which is in the region of a six-figure sum.

"Nevertheless, it would cause me some personal sadness if they were to leave Auckland Castle."