A TRUST fund is to be set up to safeguard the long-term financial future of the Durham Miners' Gala, which has been under threat since the demise of the region's coal industry.

Organisers plan to form a trust with capital, which will be invested to provide an income to cover the annual costs of staging the event.

Already, Newcastle law firm Thompsons, which represents the National Union of Mineworkers and other unions, has pledged £100,000 and other donations are being sought.

The Big Meeting was expected by many to follow the Durham coalfield into the history books when millionaire benefactor and New Zealand businessman Michael Watt withdrew his cash backing.

But individuals, councils, unions and businesses managed to raise the £30,000 needed to stage the 116th event this Saturday.

The gala's traditional Left-leaning stance may be out of favour in the current political climate, but interest has risen in recent years and last year's event attracted 30,000 people.

Durham Area NUM General Secretary David Hopper said the appeal's support demonstrated the significance of the gala and what it really means to the people of Durham.

He said: "To each and every one who has supported the appeal I express the gratitude of the Durham miners."

He said he was "quite confident" of finding the rest of the money needed to set up the trust fund.

Gala treasurer George Robson said: "The Durham Miners' Association will itself make a substantial contribution to the fund. We hope to have the fund put together by Christmas.

"We hope to kick it off with perhaps £250,000, which would give a sufficient return to cover the expenses for things like bands and banners. It pretty much guarantees the future of the gala."

While keeping its political content, the gala is becoming more of a fun day and there is talk of expanding it to Sunday.

But for most visitors, the big attraction is the colour of the banners, the stirring sounds of the bands - and pride in the men who laboured for King Coal.

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