The battle to win a permanent home in the North East for the Lindisfarne gospels has been lost.

Campaigners have argued the illuminated manuscripts should be housed on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, off the Northumberland coast, where they were produced by monks in the seventh century.

But The British Library says the gospels must stay in the capital, where more people can view them.

A decision to display copies in the North East has been criticised by the Northumbrian Association, which maintains their rightful home is Northumberland.

High quality copies of the gospels will be on show

The gospels were moved from the North East to London on the orders of King Henry VIII, almost 400 years ago.

Now the British Library says they will stay there, with high quality copies presented to Durham Cathedral and Lindisfarne's heritage centre.

Other copies are to be offered to the Vatican and a religious archive in the United States.

But Mike Tickell, Chairman of the Northumbrian Association, said he was "disappointed" at the decision by the British Library.

'Cultural heritage'

He said: "When the real gospels were on show in Newcastle a while back, there were more than 140,000 people who came to see them.

"They are part of the Christian and cultural heritage of the North east and should have their home here."

A spokesman for the British Library said a ceremonial handover of the copies will take place at Durham Cathedral and Lindisfarne in May.

He said an exhibition featuring the original at The British Library will begin on 16 May.

The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Michael Turnbull, said a display featuring high quality copies of the gospels was "the best compromise possible."