NO ONE in the North of England has ever set eyes on Britain's finest treasure, according to research.

Staff at the National Archives in Kew, West London, commissioned the research about the Domesday Book to coincide with the launch of its online service which allows visitors to peruse the 11th century document from their computer.

The Domesday Book, the oldest public record, was commissioned in 1085 by William the Conqueror to find out the value of his realm. He was threatened with invasion from Denmark and needed to know what financial and military resources were available to pay a mercenary army.

Visitors to the website (www.nationalarchives. gov.uk/ domesday) will be able to search a place name and see the index entry made for their town, city or village.

Chester is listed as Cestre and people mentioned connected with the city include Canons of Chester Church of St Werburh, Robert de Limesy, Bishop of Chester and the Church of St Mary.

Tarvin is registered as Terve, Saughall as Salhale, Saighton as Salton and Guilden Sutton as Sudtone.

Newton was known as Netone or Newentone and Farndon as Ferentone.

Adrian Ailes, Domesday expert at The National Archives, said: 'It is a fantastic achievement for The National Archives to put Domesday Book online. It is important people of all ages should be able to read and use this national treasure.

Anyone visiting the site will be able to buy for £3.50 a copy of the original page featuring the place they are researching and a translation of the entry into modern English.