CHANCE TO DINE LIKE A KING.

A DEAN is auctioning a place at the table of a king.

When James VI of Scotland travelled south to London to claim the English throne he stopped off for a night in a house adjacent to Durham Cathedral.

And 405 years later the Dean, the very Rev Michael Sadgrove, and his wife Jenny are inviting bidders to take part in an internet auction and bid to dine in the same room in which the King spent the night.

But with a reserve price of pounds 1,000, dining in the deanery doesn't come cheap.

Rev Sadgrove said: "It is thought-provoking to consider that King James I of England looked up at the ceiling under which we are standing.

"He was unsure how the English would accept him, so he travelled slowly, stopping off at places such as Newcastle, Durham and York in a winning of hearts and minds exercise.

"The winner will be able to bring five guests.

"Whatever funds we raise will go towards the cathedral."

Durham is one of the first cathedrals in the country to take part in TopLots - a new online fundraising auction giving the opportunity for people to bid on eBay for special behind-the-scenes access to some of the UK's arts and heritage organisations.

Durham Cathedral's lot goes on to the TopLots auction on June 3 for 10 days.

Would-be bidders should log on to www.toplots.co.uk

CAPTION(S):

ROYAL SEAL: Dean of Durham Cathedral Michael Sadgrove, with his wife Jenny, in the dining room