VETERAN left-wing MP Dennis Skinner will return to the Durham Miners' Gala speakers' platform at the 121st Big Meeting on Saturday, July 9.

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 renown-ed for his barbed humour.

Two years ago, after a triple heart bypass 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 do not think he is going to change now."

The gala's other big favourite, former MP Tony Benn, will attend but will not speak on the day.

Mr Benn, who retired from Parliament in 2001, will speak at Durham's Gala Theatre at 7.30pm on Sunday, July 10. Tickets are £10, available on 0191-332 4041.

Other speakers are former union leader and pensioners' champion Rodney Bickerstaffe, who is vice-president of the charity War on Want, Billy Hayes, general secretary of the CWU post union, and GMB deputy general secretary Debbie Coulter.

NUM chairman Ian Lavery will also speak. The speeches will start at about noon.

Mr Hopper said Prime Minister Tony Blair had again been invited to attend but declined, citing prior commitments.

More than 60 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.