VETERAN left-wing MP Dennis Skinner will return to the Durham Miners' Gala speakers' platform at the 121st Big Meeting a week on Saturday.

Dubbed the Beast of Bolsover, the former miner who has represented his Derbyshire constituency since 1970, has appeared at the Gala many times and is a crowd favourite who is renowned for his barbed humour.

Two years ago, after undergoing a triple bypass heart operation, he told the crowd: "I have tested my new arteries today and where better to test them than at the Durham Miners' Gala."

North-East NUM general secretary Dave Hopper said: "Obviously we welcome Dennis back. He has had a bad spell of health.

"He is a bit of an entertainer and he also carried a Socialist message. He has been a class warrior all his life and I don't think he is going to change now."

The Gala's other big favourite, the former MP Tony Benn, will attend but will not be speaking from the platform.

Mr Benn, who retired from Parliament in 2001, will give a talk at Durham's Gala Theatre at 7.30pm on Sunday, July 10, about the Miners' Gala and Socialism. Tickets cost £10 and are available from the box office on (0191) 332 4041.

Other speakers are the former union leader and pensioners' champion Rodney Bickerstaffe, who is now vice-president of the charity War on Want, Billy Hayes, general secretary of the postal workers union, the CWU, and Debbie Coulter, deputy general secretary of the GMB. The NUM's national chairman, Ian Lavery, will also speak.

Mr Hopper said Prime Minister Tony Blair had again been invited to attend but declined, citing prior commitments. No Labour leader has appeared on the Gala platform since 1987.

More than 60 mining banners and about 30 bands will parade through Durham from 9am to the Racecourse. They will include four new ones - Craghead, Lumley Sixth, Durham Collieries Mechanics Trust and Ryhope. The first three will be blessed in Durham Cathedral at 3pm.

Last year's estimated attendance was 50,000 to 60,000. There will be a funfair, stalls, music on the Racecourse with the event due to finish at about 6pm.

Police are urging residents in the city centre streets that will be closed to traffic on Gala day from 7.30am until teatime to apply for access permits or risk having their cars removed and having to pay a £105 recovery fee.

Applications must be made in person at Durham City police office in New Elvet. Permits are limited to residents and employees. Vehicle registration and access details must be provided.

All traffic, including buses, will be banned from North Road from 2.30 to 4.30pm to allow bands and marchers to disperse safely.