Chester-le-Street'S historical centre may be preserved for posterity if an application for special status is successful.

The town's place in the history books has long been overlooked, but now the district council is proposing to designate the town centre a conservation area.

The status would mean any alterations or new developments in the town centre would have to be in keeping with the rest of the architecture in the area.

It would also help preserve listed buildings such as the 13th century church of St Mary and St Cuthbert, built on the site of a Saxon church where St Cuthbert's body was kept for one hundred years from 883AD.

In a report that went before councillors on Wednesday, planning services manager Tom Watson said conservation status would help the town's regeneration and preserve the special characteristics of the town.

He states: "It would increase the quality and design of new development to take place in the area.

"This in turn would contribute significantly to the prosperity of the area by raising the town's profile and image."

Romans used the town as a cavalry station, Saxon bishops as a power base and the first English translation of the Bible was written there.

Chester-le-Street started life as the Roman cavalry station called Conecaster. Front Street, the town's main shopping street, is believed to take the route of a Roman road.

In 883 monks from Lindisfarne made the town its administrative centre for the See of Lindisfarne, holding the seat of the Bishop of Durham and Northumberland.

In 995AD Lindisfarne Gospels were translated from Latin into Anglo-Saxon by a little-known monk called Aldred.

But most of the buildings in the town today were built during the industrial revolution, when the town thrived on industries such as tanneries, a brewery and confectionery works.

Council leader Coun Malcolm Pratt said: "At the heart of this proposal is a shared sense of pride in Chester-le-Street's heritage. Conserving the town centre will benefit residents as well as local businesses."

Residents and businesses in the town will also be consulted on the proposal and it is believed a decision will be reached towards the end of this year.