IN A tale of two cathedral cities, the North-East came out top yesterday.

The majesty of Durham Cathedral was acknowledged by the BBC, which shortlisted it for a national vote as one of the five most beautiful buildings in Britain.

But Coventry city centre, whose historic cathedral was blitzed by the Germans during the Second World War, was named as one as the worst five architectural "disaster stories".

BBC Radio 4 is offering listeners to its morning Today programme to vote for five of the best buildings in the country - along with five of the worst.

Durham's Norman Cathedral, which is a world heritage site, was chosen as one of the finest buildings in the country.

Others on the shortlist include the Tate Modern, in London, Stanstead Airport, the Eden Project buildings and gardens in Cornwall, and the National Theatre, also in London.

Listeners will also get the chance to nominate their most hated buildings from Buckingham Palace, Coventry city centre, the National Theatre, Heathrow Airport and the modern Tricorn Centre in Portsmouth.

Coventry built a modern cathedral after the war.

"Voting is brisk, but we're not telling how Durham or anywhere else is getting on yet," said a BBC spokesman.

Contact the BBC to vote.

The result will be announced next week.