A NEW chapter has been reached in the display in the North-East of the Lindisfarne Gospels.

The beautifully decorated pages that introduce St Mark's Gospel were revealed at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle on Saturday.

The Gospels - designated a national treasure in the 1960s - have been kept in London since they were taken by Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries in the Middle Ages.

Campaigners have argued that, as they were produced by monks on Holy Island, Northumberland, they should return here permanently.

Interest in the Gospels is strong. The exhibition, only the third time the Gospels have returned to the region, has attracted about 70,000 people since it opened in early October.

So far, St Jerome's Letter and St Matthew's Gospel have been displayed. St Mark's Gospel is the third fantastically illuminated double page to be on display.

A gallery spokesman said: "The left hand carpet page has geometric designs in red, blue and yellow with birds' heads decorating the edge of the design.

"Visitors can view the beginning of the gospel text written by the original author in Latin.

"A later Anglo-Saxon translation written in the late 10th Century between the lines of the original text can also be seen.

"Although this might be seen as vandalism today, this is very important historically as it is the earliest written translation of The Bible into any form of the English language.''

The display of St Mark's Gospel is sponsored by estate agents Sanderson Young. It runs until January 7, and is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sunday, 2pm to 5pm. Admission is free.