VISITORS to the Durham Miners’ Gala have the chance to join a living political legend for afternoon tea.

Durham City branch of the Labour Party is offering the unique experience as the top prize in its annual fundraising raffle.

The winning ticket holder, plus a guest, will join Dennis Skinner at the Marriott Royal County Hotel, in Old Elvet, Durham, following the speeches on the city’s Racecourse at this year’s Big Meeting, on Saturday July 14.

Tickets are available for £1 online and at other venues around the city in the lead up to the 134th gala.

The winning number will be drawn, and announced, ton the eve of the day itself.

Raffle proceeds will be divided equally between the local party, and the Marras, the Friends of the Durham Miners’ Gala, which supports the Big Meeting.

Party branch chair Angela Hankin said the raffle offers the chance to meet one of the “big names” at the Big Meeting, as the firebrand former miner and Labour back-bench MP has become a popular gala regular.

Ms Hankin added: “At only £1, tickets are very affordable, and we expect to pick up a lot of interest from the region and the country.”

The Derbyshire MP, who has fondly earned the nickname of, ‘The Beast of Bolsover’, will, once again, be addressing gala-goers from the speakers’ platform this year.

Other raffle prizes include a cricket bat signed by Durham County Cricket Club players, a Ben Stokes’ cricket shirt, champagne and whisky.

Tickets are available online via www.cityofdurhamlabour.org.uk/raffle, or by calling at Durham Miners’ Association offices, at Redhills, on Flass Street, Durham.