A NORTH-EAST miners' leader delivers a gala day rebuke to Prime Minister Tony Blair today.

Regional National Union of Mineworkers' (NUM) general secretary Dave Hopper criticised the "deceitful way" Mr Blair justified the Iraq war, in his 2003 Durham Miners' Gala address.

A year on, and in his address to the 120th Big Meeting, Mr Hopper claims the Labour Party paid the price for the war with the recent "totally disastrous" local and European election results.

"Tens of thousands of innocent people have been killed and a situation of total chaos reigns in Iraq, and still the silence of those Labour MPs who went through the lobbies to support Blair and this illegal war is totally deafening.

"I believe these actions will cost our party dearly for many years to come, as has been demonstrated in the recent elections.

"Can we be surprised when democracy in the Labour Party is now almost totally eroded and it is apparent that the will and wishes of the membership mean very little to the leadership?

"When will they learn that no amount of spin can be a substitute for listening to the membership and the electorate?"

Traditionally, the Labour leader of the day was top of the guest list at the gala, but the invitation has not been taken up since the aftermath of the miners' strike of the mid-1980s.

Mr Hopper said 12 years after the demise of the Durham Coalfield, the gala's resurgence continues as former colliery communities hark back to their mining heritage.

Among almost 60 banners and 30 bands joining the parade through Durham from 9am today will be seven new and restored mining lodge ensigns, which will be dedicated in the gala day service at Durham Cathedral, at 3pm.

They include the new Harraton Colliery banner, unveiled by gala stalwart, ex-MP and peer Tony Benn in a mining memorabilia display at the village community centre yesterday.

It features ex-pitmen and folk musicians Jock Purdon, from Chester-le-Street, and Jack Elliott, from nearby Barley Mow.

Mr Elliott's daughter, Doreen Henderson, said it was a fitting tribute to her late father, who died the year the pit closed, in 1966.

"There hasn't been a medal given, no Queen's garden party, but it's an honour from the working class to the working class," added Mrs Henderson.

A new feature of the gala will be entertainment on the racecourse from 10.30am prior to the speeches, featuring various folk musicians and left-wing poet and musician Billy Bragg.

There will be a number of speakers from about 1pm, including four trade union figures and with Redcar MP Vera Baird QC topping the list.

l A number of road closures come into effect around the city centre from 7.30am, lasting until late afternoon. Vehicles left in Old and New Elvet may be removed by police