VISITORS to a Hartlepool museum will be able to see one of the world's greatest cultural and religious treasures on display.

A top quality facsimilie copy of the Lindisfarne Gospels, created in the early 700s, has gone on view at the Museum of Hartlepool at Hartlepool Historic Quay until Sunday December 7.

The facsimilie is visiting Hartlepool as part of a tour of the North-East to help give people greater access to the Gospels.

The exhibition is a collaboration between the British Library and the North-East Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (NEMLAC).

Gail Foreman, Hartlepool Borough Council's museums officer, said: "The Lindisfarne Gospels are among the world's greatest cultural and religious treasures, and we are delighted the tour of the Gospels facsimile will be stopping at the Museum of Hartlepool, the only Teesside venue.

"This is an unique opportunity for the public to view this extraordinary manuscript and even more so because there will also be special sessions at which people will be able to handle it."

The sessions at which people will be able to handle the facsimile will take place on Saturday, from 1oam to 5pm, and Sunday November 30, from 1pm to 5pm.

The Museum of Hartlepool is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm, and entry is free.