A STUNNING display of ancient Egyptian treasures from the British Museum is on its way to the North East.

Many of the 130 objects from the British Museum’s world class ancient Egypt collection, which will go on show at the Great North Museum in Newcastle, have never been seen outside London.

In what is a coup for Tyne Wear Archives and Museums (TWAM), the exhibition – Pharaoh: King of Egypt – will examine the idealized image and reality behind the rulers of the ancient kingdom across 3,000 years of history.

The increasing stature and popularity of the Great North Museum has played its part in winning the exhibition for the North East.

Steve McLean, senior manager of the Great North Museum: Hancock said: “It is a great honour to be entrusted with such illustrious and significant objects of world history. To be able to co-curate this exhibition with our colleagues at the British Museum has been very exciting.

“The sheer quality of the objects is frankly awe inspiring, and it is fantastic that our collaboration with the British Museum will bring some of our national treasures to the North East.”

Prof Eric Cross, Dean of Cultural Affairs at Newcastle University said: “Since the Great North Museum: Hancock reopened in 2009 it has gone from strength to strength.

“Pharaoh: King of Egypt is a fitting way for the museum to celebrate its second birthday, underlining the international stature of the museum.”