THE lay preacher who rose to be a president of the Miners Federation of Great Britain and later had a County Durham town named after him features on a new banner to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Durham Miners Association.

The DMA commissioned the banner to mark the anniversary and it will be blessed during the festival service at Durham Cathedral.

It features Peter Lee, who was general secretary of the DMA, president of the Miners Federation of Great Britain and was elected chairman of Durham County Council in 1919 – the first in the country to be won by the Labour party.

He is remembered for his role in bringing clean water and sanitation to many of Durham’s put villages.

The reverse side of the banner is dedicated to the Marras: the Friends of Durham Gala, a group set up in 2013 to raise money needed to keep the event going.

DMA secretary Alan Mardghum said: “We thought it appropriate that the work of all the volunteers and the marras who give so generously should be recognised on the anniversary banner.

“With their help, we can be confident that the gala will continue, keeping alive our rich heritage for generations to come.”

New banners from Horden and Blackhall are also being blessed on Saturday.