HE long-awated arrival of a replica of the cherished Lindisfarne Gospels was celebrated in ecclesiastical pomp in the North-East yesterday.

An accurate facsimile of the early medieval manuscript was presented to the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral in a service of thanksgiving and dedication.

Despite being considered by some as a second best compromise to the return of the original book, the presentation of the replica by The British Library was greeted as if it was the actual 7th Century tome, laboriously produced by Eadfrith and the monks of Lindisfarne, in honour of St Cuthbert.

A large cathedral congregation, including many civic and diocesan dignitaries, attended.

The service culminated in the presentation of the £13,000 jewel-encrusted facsimile to the Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove.

It was handed over by British Library chairman Lord Eatwell, and Urs Dueggelin, of the expert Swiss publishers Faksimile Verlag, in Lucerne.

The Dean then gave the dedication, "rejoicing in the inheritance of faith which has been handed down to us, and for this facsimile of the gospels, presented to this cathedral church, the shrine of St Cuthbert".

Readings from the Gospels were given in the original Latin, in the Medieval English added by Aldred during the manuscript's 112-year stay in Chester-le-Street in the 9th and 10th centuries, and in modern English.

It was followed by a procession which saw the replica placed symbolically at the cathedral's high altar, near the Shrine of St Cuthbert, the spot where they were honoured before the Reformation.

After Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, the Gospels went into private hands, until 1973, when they became part of The British Library collection, in London.

The Dean said: "This is a moment all of us in Durham have been waiting for a long time. It's moving to receive this facsimile of the Lindisfarne Gospels in this place where they were cherished and honoured for so many hundreds of years."

But, almost answering the campaigners who will not rest until the originals are returned permanently to the North-East, the Dean said: "These Gospels belong as well to our nation because they testify to the extraordinary civilisation which flourished in these islands at that time.

"We shall house this in our treasury, near the shrine and cross of St Cuthbert, in whose honour they were written.

"The book will not only give a great deal of pleasure to a lot of people, it also means a great deal to receive this gift today. On behalf of the chapter of Durham, and of all those who love this place, I thank you warmly."

Where to view North's heritage

MEMBERS of the public can view the Gospels in the cathedral Chapter House over the weekend, when usual entry fees to the monk's dormitory and the Building the Church exhibition are waived.

The exhibitions are open from 10am to 4pm today and from 12.30pm to 4pm tomorrow.

A further copy of the facsimile will be presented to the Heritage Centre at Lindisfarne Priory today, while a six-month exhibition featuring the original opens today at The British Library in London.