A miners' leader has accused New Labour of being out of touch and in danger of losing its grassroots support.

NUM Durham area secretary David Hopper, writing in the brochure for this Saturday's Durham Miners' Gala, warns that the party is losing its socialist values.

He attacked Labour leader Tony Blair for not speaking at the event, which has seen a revival in popularity in the past few years.

Mr Hopper said that "while the gala's support is growing and its appeal is becoming more widespread, the hierarchy of the so-called New Labour Party will not accept an invitation to address the biggest political event in the country.

"This trend was started by the leader of the Labour Party shortly after the 19864/85 miners' strike and has continued ever since.

"It appears that it is more important to address the captains of industry, the Women's Institute or almost any other assembly than the Durham Miners' Gala and its working-class supporters. I am not sure whether this is solely the decision of spin doctors but it does show contempt, not only for the Durham miners, but also the tens of thousands of traditional Labour supporters who turn up at the event.

"I believe that New Labour is out of touch, has lost its values and will be deserted by traditional supporters.

"Proof, if needed, shown in the recent municipal elections which demonstrated the traditional Labour supporter is not prepared to give blind loyalty to a party that is not supporting their aims and objectives."

Last year Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott spoke at the gala and was heckled by supporters of Liverpool dockers, an incident sharply criticised by the gala organisers.

Speakers on Saturday, the 116th gala, include MP Tony Benn, Rodney Bickerstaffe, secretary of public sector union UNISON, and award-winning journalist John Pilger.

The speeches will be given at noon on the city's racecourse following the traditional par-ade of banners and bands through the streets