AN unsightly wall has been turned into a reminder of Chester-le-Street’s links with the Lindisfarne Gospels.

A 20ft mural has been painted on the brickwork at the Go North East bus depot and is seen daily by thousands of drivers on the A167. It was designed to improve the look of the town to cricket fans heading to this summer’s Ashes Test Match.

It coincided with Go North East’s centenary and the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition at Durham University's Palace Green Library.

The mural was painted by Borders artist Ant Macari and the project was managed by the Teesdale charity ARTworks, which overseas arts projects in the region.

Project manager Jill Cole said: “The community was instrumental in selecting the final design which is a poignant reminder of the historical links between Chester-le-Street and the Gospels, as highlighted by the local heritage group.”

The Gospels were translated in Chester-le-Street by Aldred the Scribe on the long journey of St Cuthbert’s shrine across the region before it was established in Durham City.

The artwork cost £15,000, paid by Go North East and the Neighbourhood Budgets of local councillors with the support of Chester-le-Street and District Area Action Partnership (AAP).

Artist Ant Macari said: “Each of the five panels of the wall is a different height.

“We had to do a lot of mathematical calculations to ensure that the pattern looked the same from start to finish, but in reality the panel at the northern end is far smaller than the panel at the other end.”