It’s the bible that’s full of bad “spells” – literally.

Dating back to the early 1700s, this version of the holy book has been described as one of the hidden jewels of Rochester Cathedral after being unearthed during refurbishment of the library.

And, surprisingly, the volume is celebrated as a collector’s item, not for its fine classical engravings but for its unholy bad spelling.

Among the many typos littered in the sacred tome, is the misprint of the word “vineyard” as “vinegar.”

“It appeared at some stage it was given as a leaving present to the head verger, James Levett. We have found a letter from a John Davies from Kitchener Road, Strood, dated in 1963, asking if we wanted it back" - Canon Hesketh

This is arguably the most glaring error to be found in The Parable of the Vineyard in Luke 20:9. – and the reason it got its name “The Vinegar Bible.”

It was published in 1717 by John Baskett, printer to King George II and, with its fine neo-classical sketches, could have sealed his reputation for life. Instead it became known as the “Baskett-ful of errors”.

Inevitably, age has taken its toll and the imprint of the 298-year-old book was in need of tender, loving care.

Over the past five months it has been in the hands of skilled conservator Lara Meredith, who has painstakingly repaired the damaged spine, cover and pages.

Mrs Meredith has now returned the Rochester Vinegar Bible to the cathedral where acting dean, Canon Dr Philip Hesketh, plans to give it pride of place in the new archives room.

She said: “It appears that printers were illiterate and they didn’t have proof readers in those days. My brief was very clear. It was not to restore or intervene, but to conserve. It will continue to deteriorate but my job was to retard the process.”

Copies of The Vinegar Bible are now in short supply, and sadly, because of its high value, two were stolen from churches in Hampshire and Devon four years ago.

But, as Canon Hesketh explained, Rochester has the good fortune to have two editions of the book.

He said: “Equally as interesting is to how we came about getting the book and up until recently we didn’t know we had it.

“It appeared at some stage it was given as a leaving present to the head verger, James Levett. We have found a letter from a John Davies from Kitchener Road, Strood, dated in 1963, asking if we wanted it back.

"At that stage we did not know of its existence. It is very much a hidden treasure.”

To pay for the repairs, the cathedral trust successfully bid for a grant of £8,474 from The Leathersellers’ Company, an ancient organisation founded by royal charter in 1444 with authority to control the sale of leather within the City of London.