A LITTLE piece of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria has provided the inspiration for a gift to be presented to the Queen on her visit to the region today.
Silversmith Les Howe, 53, of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, recreated the design of a stone frieze in the form of a gold brooch.
The frieze, depicting two birds pecking at fruits from a bush, was made by Bede's craftsmen in the 8th Century.
The brooch will be presented to the Queen on her visit to Bede's World museum, Jarrow.
The Queen will open a £4m extension to the museum, which includes an exhibition, conference centre and refurbished Jarrow Hall. She will have a lunch prepared by catering students from South Tyneside College.
The Queen and Prince Philip will open a 150th anniversary plaque at Central Station, in Newcastle, at 10.35am, followed by a visit to the Bioscience Centre, at the International Centre for Life, then Bede's World at about 11.40am, leaving at 1.45pm.
The Queen will go to Sunderland Royal Infirmary's new neo-natal unit and the Duke of Edinburgh will go to Segedunum archaeological centre, at 2.20pm.
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