A FULL range of musical accompaniment will help keep crowds entertained at next month's Durham Miners' Gala.

Everything from girl bands to big bands will offer something for all tastes at the Big Meeting, at Durham Racecourse, on Saturday, July 9.

Sassie, a pop band now on tour as support for Girls Aloud!, will perform their debut single, which will be released days before the event.

The musical programme will be started by local musicians Benny Graham and Chuck Fleming, welcoming the arrival of each colliery banner on to the Racecourse showfield.

Ian Luck and the Scratch Band will give a rendition of their song Not Bad for a Bunch of Miners, telling the tale of West Auckland's football team exploits in an early version of the World Cup.

Following the traditional speeches, the Northern Underground Jazz Orchestra, a 14-member big band led by saxophonist Tim Garland, will present two sets showcasing their talents.

Tom Davies and Cookie, from radio station 96.6tfm, will entertain the crowds between 2.15pm and 3.30pm, before Metro Radio's Paul "Goffy" Gough takes to the microphone and the Northern Underground Jazz Orchestra returns for its second set.

Many of the colliery lodge contingents will move from the Racecourse to Durham Cathedral for the annual cathedral gala-day service, at 3pm.

Throughout the day, four street acts will roam the Gala field including huge seagulls, a comedy act and an illusionist.

Durham County Council is also providing all-day entertainment in a marquee, which will house a photographic exhibition, on loan from Newcastle's Side Gallery, as well as art and craft displays, and face and portrait painting.

The gala will begin in traditional fashion with the procession of colliery bands and lodge banners through Durham, heading for the racecourse, from 9am.