Holy Island vicar leads fight against fishing ban that would ‘rip the heart out of Lindisfarne’

Defra's proposal for highly protected marine area off the coast of Northumberland could displace fishers, islanders warn

A Church of England vicar on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne has called the proposal to ban local fishing a real error" with massive socio-economic impact".

One of the most important centres of early Christianity in England, the tidal island in Northumberland saw the first significant Viking attack in Europe and is the birthplace of the Lindisfarne gospels, now housed in the British Library. Every year, half a million visitors flock to its 12th-century priory, castle, pubs and cafes.