A COMMUNITY group is looking for fundraisers to help pay for a new miners’ banner for a North-East village.

Next year marks the 50th anniversary since the closure of East Tanfield Colliery, near Stanley, in County Durham, which was worked for 121 years.

Tanfield Lea Banner Group has been set up by the Tanfield Lea Partnership to create a new banner for Durham Miners’ Gala next year.

Group chairman Joe Wilson said: “The significance of the banner for most communities is a sense of pride.

“They cost so much and people did not have much money so it was something to be proud of. It was a great honour to march it into Durham for The Big Meeting. That is what we are hoping to do with this one next year.”

Tanfield Lea’s other coal mine, Margaret Pit, was operated between 1903 and 1962.

The existing banner, which will be attached to the new one, is from the 1950s and shows Boudica on a chariot being pulled by four horses.

An older banner from the 1930s, which is being recreated, shows a sailor shaking hands with a miner and the new version will have the face of Pitman Poet Tommy Armstrong.

An event to officially launch the campaign is being held at Tanfield Lea Workingmen’s Club is being held on October 11 from 1pm-3pm with banners from nearby villages on display.

The group needs to raise £9,000 for the banner and already has £5,000 from Durham County and Stanley Town Councillors as well as Tanfield Lea Partnership.

A website so people can donate is being set up but people can also call Mr Wilson on 01207-280101 or secretary Alice Mearns on 01207-233285.