THE North-East's greatest art treasures have proved a huge draw on the return to the region.

Yesterday, art student Rachel Boyd became the 175,000th person to see the masterpiece produced by Northumbrian monks.

The 21-year-old, from Monkseaton, North Tyneside, was presented with a special plate by staff at Newcastle's Laing Art Gallery.

Rachel has seen the Gospels at the British Library where they were displayed with other manuscripts.

She said: "It is nice to see them singled out, especially up here where they belong.

"They are special because they are from this area, and because I have been studying them as part of my course."

With two days of the exhibition left to go, museum officials predicted that the final visitor total could be as much as 10,000 higher.

Laing spokeswoman Sheryl Muxworthy said: "People were waiting an hour to get in and there were queues all the way up the stairs. It shows how much people want to see the Gospels.

"The exhibition has exceeded our expectations. We were predicting 75,000 visitors. We are doing roughly 3,000 to 4,000 a day, but we think it will be 4,000 or 5,000 this weekend as it is the last chance to see them."

The Gospels, which went on display in October, will return to their permanent home at the British Library in London, despite the vociferous campaign to have them housed in the region permanently.

Laing curator Andrew Greg said: "There are many people who would like the Gospels to be on permanent display in the region - that is evident from the feedback we have had from visitors.

"Ultimately, the decision isn't ours, unfortunately.

"But we have shown we can exhibit them and look after them."

Karen Brookfield, of the British Library, said: "I think it is amazing so many people have been to see the Gospels. It is far more than I ever would have dreamt."

Asked about the campaign for their return to the North-East, she said: "It is a great debate, but for the time being they are staying in London."

The exhibition is open today from 10am to 5pm and tomorrow between 2pm and 5pm. Admission is free.