PITMEN'S union leaders have delivered a stinging Durham Miners' Gala-day rebuke to Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Government.

Today's traditional Big Meeting messages from North-East NUM leaders Dave Hopper and Dave Guy include criticism of everything from the war in Iraq to New Labour's "modernisers".

The Labour leader of the day was traditionally the first name on the guest list at the gala, the major political and social occasion in the mining union movement in the region.

But since Neil Kinnock distanced the Labour leadership from the left, no party leader has taken up the invite since 1987.

North-East NUM officials are angry at not even receiving an apology this year, although the party said the Prime Minister's Sedgefield constituency office would be sending his 'best wishes' to organisers.

In reference to the heritage of the gala among the many former mining communities of County Durham, regional general secretary Mr Hopper, in his address, said: "We are a proud county and the Big Meeting is the largest political event in Britain.

"It is therefore unbelievable that the Prime Minister, who traditionally receives an invitation to speak, has once again not even had the courtesy to reply.

"However, the people that really matter will be here and I hope you have a great day."

Mr Guy, the regional union president, was critical of Government energy policy, for running down the Selby coalfield and leaving the country "further dependent on unstable countries in the Middle-East and eastern Europe".

He said: "The Labour Government appears to have no regard for mining communities or our future energy needs."

Mr Guy also criticised the "painfully slow" compensation process for ex-miners suffering chronic bronchitis, emphysema and vibration white finger.

Speakers at today's 119th gala include Big Meeting favourite, Derbyshire left-wing Labour MP Dennis Skinner, "the beast of Bolsover", who has pledged to attend despite recent heart surgery.

Fire Brigade Union leader Andy Gilchrist, Aslef general secretary Mick Rix and his counterpart in the GMB, the recently elected former northern regional leader for the union, Kevin Curran, will also be among the Racecourse speakers this afternoon.

Another Gala regular, Tony Benn, will deliver an address at the gala-day service at Durham Cathedral, this afternoon.