Lindisfarne Gospels show wins North East culture award

The historic Lindisfarne Gospels were on show at Durham University last year

An exhibition of the 1,300-year-old Lindisfarne Gospels in Durham has won best event at a ceremony celebrating culture in the north-east of England.

The historic manuscript's return to the region last summer was rewarded at the Journal Culture Awards at the Sage Gateshead on Wednesday.

Wet House, a play at Newcastle's Live Theatre about life in an a homeless hostel, won three prizes.

They included performance of the year and best writer for Paddy Campbell.

Wet House actor Joe Caffrey (centre) was named performing artist of the year

Actor Joe Caffrey, who starred in the dark comedy as well as appearing in Cooking With Elvis at the same venue and in The Pitmen Painters on tour, was named performing artist of the year.

Wet House will have a run at the Soho Theatre in London later this year as well as returning to Live Theatre.

Other award winners included indie band Frankie and the Heartstrings, who picked up best newcomer for opening their own record shop Pop Recs Ltd in their home town of Sunderland.

Grayson Perry's The Vanity of Small Differences tour started in Sunderland

The full list of winners:

• Visual artist of the year - Cecilia Stenbom

• Performance of the year - Wet House at Live Theatre

• Performing artist of the year - Joe Caffrey

• Newcomer of the year - Pop Recs Ltd

• Writer of the year - Paddy Campbell

• North East museum award - Bridie Jackson and the Arbour at Woodhorn

• Best arts & business partnership - SCA and Wideyed

• Arts Council Award - Foghorn Requiem

• Best event, Tyneside - Iron Age Festival

• Best event, Northumberland - Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival

• Best event, Sunderland - Grayson Perry: The Vanity of Small Differences at Sunderland Museum

• Best event, Durham - Lindisfarne Gospels

• Best event, Teeside - Festival of Thrift

• Best overall event - Lindisfarne Gospels

• Special contribution award - Royal Northern Sinfonia