A SUMMER celebration which has not been staged for more than 30 years will be revived this month.

Brandon Carnival stopped in 1968 when the village pit shut.

But Brandon Community Hall has decided to mark the Millennium by resurrecting the parade.

It will be held on Saturday, August 19, starting at Brandon School at 12.30pm.

The village's pit banner, brought home last year from Manitoba, Canada, will be paraded to the Welfare Field, behind the Community Hall, accompanied by the Esh and Bearpark Band.

Youngsters from five schools will parade in masks they have made as part of an arts project.

The Welfare Field will be the venue for a range of events starting at 1pm, including five-a-side football, an assault course, dancing, and displays of vehicles used in the TV series Heartbeat.

Durham City Arts' inflatable marquee will host arts events and activities. The week's celebrations will culminate on the Saturday with an evening of entertainment in the community hall.

Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council has given £2,000 towards the carnival, and mining firm H J Banks has donated £1,000.