DURHAM Miners' Gala continued its revival at the weekend with a renewed show of pride by former colliery communities.

The event appeared doomed when the last working pits closed in the east of the county in the early 1990s.

But following an input of funding by a New Zealand benefactor and now backed by a trust fund supported by the wider trade union movement, the event looks set to be a permanent fixture in the calendar for years to come.

Despite the gloomy weather, estimates on the turnout at Saturday's 120th Big Meeting varied, but it is thought to be approaching the 50,000-figure set on a glorious July day last year.

An early downpour threatened to put the dampers on the colourful procession, but the rain held off for the rest of the day as about 60 banners and 30 brass bands paraded through Durham to the gala showfield, on the Racecourse.

Dave Hopper, North-East general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), paid tribute to the former colliery communities, which have revived interest in their mining heritage and in the Big Meeting itself.

Five new banners appeared in the parade this year, among seven dedicated by the Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Dr Tom Wright, during the gala-day service at Durham Cathedral.

Mr Hopper told the crowds on the Racecourse: "Today is a historic day, 20 years on from the miners' strike and 11 years since the closure of the last pit in Durham, yet 50 Durham banners appeared in today's parade.

"You have to go back to 1962 and 1963 when there were that many banners coming in, so you can all congratulate yourselves on such magnificent support for an event portraying our history and heritage."

Mr Hopper was among the many speakers to lambast Prime Minister Tony Blair, particularly over the Iraq crisis, and said it was no surprise the "MP for Sedgefield" had again opted not to take up his annual invitation to the gala.

The Labour leader of the day traditionally tops the invitation list, but none has taken up the offer since Neil Kinnock in the mid-1980s.

"I get sick of writing unnecessary letters, but he'll get the opportunity next year, he'll get the letter," said Mr Hopper.

Further vitriol for the Prime Minister came from fellow speakers, particularly the firebrand general secretary of the RMT, the rail and maritime workers' union, Bob Crow.

He questioned whether trade unions should continue affiliations with the Labour Party, but other union leaders said the movement must remain backing the party to prevent the Conservatives coming back to power.

Other speakers included Redcar MP Vera Baird, who, as a lawyer, represented many striking miners during the 1984/85 dispute, NUM general secretary Steve Kemp, plus his counterparts at the TGWU and Amicus unions, Tony Woodley and Dave Prentis.

A popular figure, as ever, on the guest list was veteran former peer and MP Tony Benn, a friend of the mining movement. Although not speaking this year, he received some of the loudest cheers from the crowds.