COPIES of beautifully illuminated manuscripts coloured and written by the Benedictine monks of Leominster in the 15th century have gone on display.

Former mayor of Leominster Alec Haines, 83, was so overjoyed at seeing the rare old vellum (sheep skin) manuscripts at Hereford Record Office that he funded a project to get laser copies on show at the Priory Church.

Copies of 13 manuscripts - Roman Catholic missals or prayers - have been framed and mounted on the south wall of the church for all time.

Said Alec: "On the suppression of the Catholic religion in England by Henry VIII in 1539 he ordered the total destruction of Leominster Benedictine monastery, only the Norman nave remains today.

"The king only allowed the writings of the monks from their scriptorium to be used as book covers.

"Illuminated manuscripts of the scriptures, devotional books, valuable chronicles and histories had to be destroyed. Leominster has three such part book covers handed down through the ages to the present town council. They are stored under perfect conditions at the county record office."

Alec said he wanted the old documents to be more widely appreciated. He had copies made and got Leominster expert Huw Pawsey to prepare translations from the Latin text.