AN appeal has been launched to recruit volunteers to help the thousands of visitors expected to see a major historical exhibition this summer.

Durham’s unique copy of the Magna Carta is going on public display for the first time in its 799-year history.

The priceless parchment, the only surviving copy of the 1216 edition of the charter agreed by King John and the barons the previous year, will be the centrepiece of the Magna Carta and the Changing Face of Revolt exhibition taking place at Palace Green Library this summer.

Up to 30,000 visitors are expected to see the exhibition, which will run from June 1 to August 31, open from 10am to 6pm each day.

Volunteers will be needed throughout, following the success of a similar scheme run during the popular Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition in 2013.

Dr Sarah Price, Head of Access and Learning for Durham University Library and Heritage Collections, said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of our exhibition programme and we really value their contribution.

“We know from feedback from the volunteers who worked as part of the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition that they found the experience incredibly enjoyable and we hope that this will be the same for our Magna Carta volunteers.”

Three volunteering information sessions will take place at Palace Green Library over the next few weeks, starting on Monday, April 27 from 4pm to 6pm.

A second session takes place on Friday, May 1 from 10am to noon and the final session takes place on Saturday, May 9, also from 10am to noon.

Anyone unable to attend a session can contact Palace Green Library on 0191 334 2932 or pg.library@durham.ac.uk for more information.