A SACRED manuscript from Medway, thought to contain the very first use of written English, was named on Tuesday night as one of the nation's top treasures.

The Textus Roffensis, written by a monk from St Andrew's Priory at Rochester Cathedral in 1123, was one of five winning entries in the British Library's Hidden Treasures Brought to Life competition.

The document was chosen from a list of more than 80 historic items submitted by UK libraries.

The winners were announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the British Library’s flagship St Pancras building in London.

It will now be fully photographed and transformed into electronic text available for all to see online.

Textus Roffensis means Book of the Church of Rochester. It was written by a Benedictine monk in the 12th century and not only contains the first recorded English laws but also the coronation oath of Henry I, which influenced the drafting of the Magna Carta.

The British Library's chief executive, Lynne Brindley, said: "The competition gives an idea of just how many treasures of regional, national and international importance are held in public library collections across the UK."

Shortlisted items ranged from the Textus Roffensis to the handwritten details of abandoned babies and children admitted to the Foundling Hospital in London, from illuminated medieval manuscripts to albums of Victorian watercolours and photographs displaying long-lost landscapes and buildings.