He was at historic St Peter's Church, at Monkwearmouth, yesterday, to mark the launch of the joint bid with Sunderland for World Heritage Site status in 2010.

The twin Anglo-Saxon monastery sites of Jarrow-Wearmouth, made up of St Paul's Church in Jarrow, and St Peter's Church, in Sunderland, will be the UK's nomination for an honour that will put it alongside worldwide attractions like the Pyramids and Taj Mahal.

Jarrow-Wearmouth was the birthplace of European culture and learning in the 7th and 8th centuries, and inspired the Venerable Bede to become Europe's greatest 8th century scholar, whose works are still in use.

Attending the launch was archaeologist Rosemary Cramp, who excavated both sites over a 24-year period.

Among other treasures, her work unearthed the largest surviving collection of 7th century window-glass.

Bede was the first historian of the English nation, popularising the AD/BC dating system, setting the calculation for Easter that is still used today, understanding the pull of the moon creating tides, and translating part of the Bible into English.

The Bishop of Jarrow, Mark Bryant, who gave the World Heritage Site bid his blessing, said: "I think it's yet another opportunity to put Sunderland on the map, alongside the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.

"We want to get the local people to realise what a world important site this is, and to sign the book and show their support.

"It is a cradle of Christianity, but it is also a cradle of learning through the work of Bede, who as well as being a great Christian, was a great scientist and historian.