Stolen Durham University Shakespeare folio on display

The folio was stolen in 1998

A folio written by Shakespeare is to go on show at Durham University for the first time since it was stolen.

Raymond Scott was cleared of stealing the 1623 book, but found guilty of handling stolen goods and jailed for eight years in July.

The first edition of the bard's work was stolen from the university in 1998 but has now been returned and restored.

It will be the centrepiece exhibit when the refurbished Wolfson Gallery opens on 15 January.

Scott, 53, of Wingate, County Durham, was also convicted of taking stolen goods abroad.

When it was stolen its binding and first and last pages were removed to try and disguise its origins.

'Tremendous thrill'

The book, worth £1.5m, was originally acquired by John Cosin, former Bishop of Durham, and was part of the library he established in Durham in 1669.

It will be on display until March as part of the Treasures of Durham University exhibition.

Writer Bill Bryson, who is the Chancellor of Durham University, said: "It is a tremendous thrill to have the Shakespeare First Folio back in Durham.

"This book is clearly one of the most important in the English language and I look forward to seeing this national treasure on public display once again."