A MUSEUM gallery has been given an extensive revamp, paid for by taking its treasures to the Far East.

About 150 objects from the Ancient Egyptian collections at Durham University’s Oriental Museum were seen by almost 200,000 people during a yearlong tour of Japan.

Among the treasures was a 2,300-year-old mummified priest.

The £60,000 raised has been re-invested, and the refurbished gallery will reopen to the public today, almost two years after it closed.

Visitors will be able to see objects ranging from tiny gold amulets to a huge granite obelisk of Pharoah Amenhotep II.

Highlights also include a gilded mummy mask, ancient jewellery and statues of some of Ancient Egypt’s most famous rulers.

The museum, on Elvet Hill, Durham, is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 12pm to 5pm, at weekends. Entry is £1.50 for adults, 75p for children aged five to 16 and the over-60s, and free for children under five and students.