ONE of the oldest cathedrals in the world has once again retained its status as the region's best loved landmark.

Up against the more recent constructions of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and the Angel of the North, the 900-year-old Durham Cathedral proved that maturity is still attractive.

Following a survey of 150 regional celebrities, politicians and civic dignitaries, more than 2,000 members of the public cast their vote in the Construction Industry Training Board's (CITB) survey to find the most popular landmark in the North-East.

In a bid to find the Seven Building Wonders of the North-East, the survey gave them the chance to vote between the cathedral, Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge, Hadrians Wall and St James' Park among others.

Durham Cathedral came out tops followed closely by the year-old Millennium Bridge.

Poll organiser Simon Murray of CITB said; "It became a two horse race after the first day of voting by the public.

"Durham Cathedral and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge are two very different but equally beautiful structures and these were by far the most popular choice of people in our region."

The bridge was however, awarded the Sterling Prize for the most outstanding piece of architectural design and construction in 2001 at a prestigious event in the Baltic last weekend.

Val Lowther, spokesperson for the Northumbrian Tourist Board said: "These buildings and structures are the icons of our area.

"They are important to us and to have them recognised like this can only be good for the region and tourism.

"The mix of old and new shows that the more contemporary constructions are becoming icons and are being recognised for their beauty."

The cathedral also topped a poll of listeners to BBC Radio Four's Today programme to find the most loved national building, which was carried out earlier this year.

The results were; 1 Durham Cathedral; 2 Gateshead Millennium Bridge; 3 The Angel of the North;4 Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge; 5 Bamburgh Castle; 6 Hadrian's Wall and joint seventh the Tyne Bridge, St James' Park and the Stadium of Light.