AT the crack of dawn the former mining village was stirred to life by sounds and sights its residents had not seen for more than three decades.

Hundreds of people spilled on to the streets wearing slippers and dressing gowns to watch their banner being carried behind a brass band for the first time since the pits of Chopwell, near Gateshead, closed in 1966.

Grown men cried openly as they recalled their community's heyday, while for the young it was the first taste of a tradition they had never known.

The morning's preparations in Chopwell - nicknamed Little Moscow - encapsulated the spirit that is the Durham Miners Gala.

The revival of a parade through the village was a sure sign that, despite the death of coal mines, the community spirit in pit villages across the region is still very much alive.

As more than 100 residents clambered on buses to head to Durham, tens of thousands more were converging on the city for the 116th gala.

By 9.30am, the streets were a seething mass of colour, with more than 60 banners, old and new, proudly born aloft - each relating its own story about the traditions, trials and tribulations of the coal mining industry.

Others managed to get in on the act, including Union of Country Sports workers, who struck an incongruous note in the proceedings.

For the 30 colliery bands, each as impressive as the other, the highlight was playing to the luminaries who took the salute from the balcony of the County Hotel.

And then on to the Racecourse, where speaker after speaker railed against New Labour's desertion of its traditional supporters.

National Union of Mineworkers general secretary David Hopper summed up the gathering's feelings: "New Labour is out of touch, has lost its values and will be deserted by traditional supporters."

He criticised Tony Blair for not accepting an invitation to speak at the gala.

He said: "It appears that it is more important to address the captains of industry, the Women's Institute or almost any assembly other than the Durham Miners' Gala and its working class supporters."

A firm favourite was working class champion Tony Benn, who won rapturous applause for his punchy speech against the ills of capitalism and call to arms to the socialist banner.

Away from the speeches, rock bands, proggy mat makers and sword dancers completed a family day out.

A police spokesman said after the event: "There have been no arrests for public disorder offences. Everybody was in good spirits."

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