SAMBA music, rapper swords and stilt-walking birds will be among the attractions at a forthcoming annual gala.

As part of this year's Durham Miners' Gala, on Saturday, Durham County Council's cultural services department is putting together a programme of events at the city's racecourse ground.

Local musicians Benny Graham, Chuck Fleming and Pegleg Ferret will entertain the crowds and welcome the arrival of each colliery band and banner.

After the traditional speeches, Drumdin, a 30-piece samba band, will perform, followed by Baghdaddies, the UK's premier Balkan dance band, whose dynamic live improvisations create a unique and powerful sound.

The Neighbourhood Watch Stilts International street theatre group will go walk-about as enormous birds, while the High Spen Blue Diamonds rapper sword team performs a traditional dance style that originated in mining communities.

Patrick Conway, the county's director of cultural services, said: "Durham Miners' Gala is one of the last surviving miners' gatherings, and we're pleased to be able to provide a varied programme of entertainment that not only contributes to the success of the day but ensures it continues to be one of the highlights of the county's social calendar."

Additional attractions will include a marquee containing a photographic exhibition from Newcastle's Side Gallery, poet Kevin Cadwallender's Poetry Lodge, historical displays, traditional craft demonstrations, children's art and face painting.

The action gets under way at 10.30am, speeches from midday, Drumdin at 1.30pm and Baghdaddies at 2.15pm.