A Miner's son is trying to piece together the story behind a picture of ex-colliers who played in a 1920s band.

Geoff McManners said of the picture, of Leasingthorne Colliery Prize Band in the 1920s: "We are finding it difficult to get the names of the men, but we are sure they will have families who are still around."

Anyone who can help should contact Geoff on (01388) 601127.

Today, Geoff will be helping to carry the Leasingthorne Colliery banner for what could be the last time.

The banner was "lost" for 30 years, while it lay hidden in a storeroom at National Union of Mineworkers headquarters, in Durham.

Still in pristine condition, it was restored to its rightful home in 1994 by Geoff as a tribute to his father, Basil, and the hundreds of workers who toiled underground in the name of coal.

It depicts the Aged Miners' Home at Coundon and, on the reverse, Coniston Head, at Morpeth, the first convalscent home for miners in Britain.

With friend Len Goundry, Geoff will carry it through Coundon and Leeholme before joining the throngs filling Durham's streets.

He said: "We are marching this year as usual as a tribute to all the miners and especially my father, who died 12 years ago at 88."

After that, Geoff hopes to find enough support in the close knit communities of Leasingthorne and Coundon to buy a new banner to hang in the village workmen's club.