COUNTY Durham children have unveiled a new banner they helped design and will be proudly march behind at the Durham Miners’ Gala.
The new banner for the Durham branch of the National Education Union was unfurled for the first time at a ceremony at Durham Town Hall.
The event was attended by parents, along with City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy, Durham Miners' Association general secretary Alan Mardghum, NEU president Daniel Kebede and Durham County Council leader Amanda Hopgood. 
Read more: Durham Miners’ Gala back in 2022 and dedicated to key workers
Emma Parker, NEU executive member and joint secretary for County Durham, said: "Unfurling the banner was the highlight of our year. The children were brilliant. They are so proud and awed by the banner.
“We sent out a competition to all the schools asking children to draw images that they thought represented Durham.
“We received well over 400 entries and due to the high quality of work have 32 children’s artwork now adorn the banner, created by Emma Shankland of Durham Banner Makers.
"We at Durham NEU believe that it is important the children learn about their local history and celebrate the local landmarks that Durham has to offer.
They new banner includes Durham Cathedral, Seaham’s Tommy statue and images celebrating the county’s mining heritage.
Ms Parker said: "The banner is absolutely magnificent. Emma hasn't adapted their images, so it's a true reflection of the children's artwork.
Read more: Pride and history of the miners' gala revealed in new exhibition
The banner will lead the Durham NEU contingent at the Durham Miners' Gala on Saturday July 9.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here