DURHAM Miners' Gala continued its revival at the weekend with a renewed show of pride by ex-colliery communities across the former coalfield.

The event appeared doomed when the last working pits closed in the east of the county in the early 1990s.

But following an input of funding by a New Zealand benefactor and now backed by a trust fund supported by the wider trade union movement, the event looks set to be a permanent fixture in the calendar for years to come.

Despite the gloomy weather, estimates on the turn-out at Saturday's 120th Big Meeting varied, but it is thought to be approaching the 50,000-figure set on a glorious July day last year.

An early downpour threatened to put the dampers on the procession, but the rain held off as around 60 banners and 30 brass bands paraded through Durham to the showfield on the Racecourse.

North-East NUM general secretary Dave Hopper paid tribute to the former colliery communities who have revived interest in their mining heritage.

Five new banners appeared in the parade this year, among seven to be dedicated by the new Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Dr Tom Wright, in the gala-day service at Durham Cathedral.

Mr Hopper told the crowds on the Racecourse: "Today is an historic day, 20 years on from the miners' strike and 11 years since the closure of the last pit in Durham, yet 50 Durham banners appeared in today's parade.

"You have to go back to 1962 and '63 when there were that many banners coming in, so you can all congratulate yourselves on such magnificent support for an event portraying our history and heritage."

Mr Hopper was among the many speakers to lambast Prime Minister Tony Blair, particularly over the Iraq crisis, and said it was no surprise the MP for Sedgefield had again opted not to take up his annual invite to the Gala.

Further vitriol for the Prime Minister came from fellow speakers, particularly the general secretary of the rail and maritime workers' union, Bob Crow. He questioned whether trade unions should continue affiliations with the Labour Party they spawned, but other union leaders said the movement must remain backing the party to prevent the Conservatives coming back to power.

Other speakers included Redcar MP Vera Baird QC, who as a lawyer represented many striking miners during the 84/85 dispute, and NUM general secretary Steve Kemp.

A popular figure, as ever, on the guest list was veteran former peer and MP Tony Benn, a friend of the mining movement. Although not speaking this year, he received some of the loudest cheers from the crowds.