VISITORS to the Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition have until tomorrow to see the first of the five pages to be featured in the illuminated display.

The page, introducing St Jerome's letter to Pope Damascus, was the first to go on show when the exhibition opened in Newcastle, on October 7.

More than 30,000 visitors have seen the famous treasure during the first three weeks of its three month run at the Laing Art Gallery.

Loaned by the British Library, the priceless manuscripts are being seen in the North-East for only the third time since Henry VIII confiscated them from Durham Cathedral during the dissolution of the monasteries, in the 16th Century.

The gospels, designated a national treasure in the 1960s, were penned by the monks of Lindisfarne in the early 8th Century.

St Jerome's page will be turned after tomorrow to reveal St Matthew's Gospel, which will remain on show until November 10.

Further pages to be seen are St Mark's, St Luke's and St John's gospels, before the manuscripts return to the British Library in January.

The gospels can be seen at the gallery from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sundays, 2pm to 5pm. Admission is free.