The future of an important medieval manuscript is now secure, following a successful public appeal by York Minster Archives.

The 13th century manuscript, a collection of religious texts, had spent most of the last 700 years in York and Yorkshire, but had been in private collections for many years.

Its recent sale at Sotheby's gave the chance for it to be brought into a collection which is accessible to the public, but its price - nearly £100,000 - was quite beyond any normal purchase budget of the Dean and Chapter of York.

The race was on to raise the necessary funds, and the seemingly insurmountable target was reached within the three months granted before it could be sold to a private collector.

Particular thanks are due to the Resource/V & A Purchase Grant Fund and the Friends of the National Libraries, who between them gave more than £60,000 - but over £37,000 was raised locally from trusts and private individuals.

Louise Hampson, Minster archivist, said: "The chance to acquire a manuscript like this and bring it 'home' comes very seldom. We simply don't have the funds to buy things like this, so we decided to launch an appeal, which has been very successful.

"We are very grateful to everyone who helped in any way."

The manuscript will now be on display at the Minster Library and Archives from Monday for two weeks.

It will then join the manuscript collections held by the Minster Archives.