A HERITAGE group has launched an ambitious campaign to bring a copy of the Lindisfarne Gospels back to Chester-le-Street, where they were first translated.

In September it emerged that the British Library, who won the battle to hold the original, has made nearly 980 laser copies which are for sale via the Internet and priced £13,000 each. The sell-off could net the library £10m.

Now Chester-le-Street Heritage Group wants the town to own a copy, and amateur historian Mike Rutter has reserved a copy of a £7,000 manuscript - cheaper because it lacks the jewel encrusted cover.

However, for his bid to be successful the group must raise the full amount by December 10.

It would not be the only North-East town to hold a copy. On Wednesday, a copy was unveiled at Sunderland City Library and Arts Centre where it will be on display to the public.

And Chester-le-Street will be a temporary venue for a tour of another facsimile of the Gospels, which is currently spending five weeks at Bede's World in Jarrow, South Tyneside. This copy will then be moved to Hartlepool Museum, Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle and Hexham Abbey before arriving in May at Chester-le-Street library for a stay of several weeks.

The gospels were drawn up by monks on Lindisfarne and translated from Latin into English by Anglo-Saxon monks at St Mary and St Cuthbert's Church in Chester-le-Street, in what is believed to be the first translation of the Bible into English.

At the time, Chester-le-Street was the power base for the See of Lindisfarne, and housed St Cuthbert's body for 100 years, which attracted wealthy pilgrims from all over Europe.

Edna Stokoe, secretary of Chester-le-Street Heritage Group, said they hoped the religious relic would again help revive the fortunes of the town.

She said: "This is something really special, as we see it as providing a tourist trade for the town. Chester-le-Street was such an important town in Medieval times and I think that has been forgotten that.

"It's a tight deadline, but we're hoping for great things."

Anyone who wants to donate money to the Chester-le-Street Heritage Group campaign should contact Mrs Stokoe on (0191) 388 9380 or send cheques, made payable to Lindisfarne Gospels, to Christine Davies, c/o Nigel Humes Solicitors, 3-5 High Chare, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, DH3 3PX.