HEXHAM'S historic abbey has been given the seal of approval by bestselling travel writer, Bill Bryson.

The author placed Hexham Abbey within a list of his favourite churches in the country.

His list of his 14 churches was compiled for a new tourism website, Explore Churches.

In it, Bill wrote: "Hexham is as handsome a market town as you will find anywhere, and the imposing priory is a central part of what makes it memorable.

"I did a reading there a few years ago, and it was delightful. You can usually tell when a church is much loved by the locals and that was abundantly evident here."

The famous Italian Chapel in Orkney and London's St Martin in the Field also feature on the top 14 list.

Explore Churches has been developed by the National Churches Trust with co-operation from partners in the tourism, heritage and church sectors.

National Churches Trust, the UK’s church buildings support charity, of which Bill Bryson is a Vice President.

He said: "It is impossible to overstate the importance of churches to this country.

"Nothing else in the built environment has the emotional and spiritual resonance, the architectural distinction, the ancient, reassuring solidity of a parish church.

"To me, they are the physical embodiment of all that is best and most enduring in Britain."

The website features images and information on the history and architecture of individual buildings, alongside directions, access information and opening times.

The website was launched last week with an initial selection of 1,300 churches.

Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said:"Our vision is that ‘ExploreChurches’ will become the leading source of information about churches for visitors, including both tourists and local people.”

"We would like to include all churches in the UK that are open to visitors on the ‘ExploreChurches’ website.

"If a church that you love, or look after, is not listed please visit the website at www.explorechurches.org to find out how to get involved."