POLICE have warned residents in Durham to apply for parking permits in advance of this year's Miners' Gala or risk having their cars removed.

The event takes place on Saturday, July 10, and a number of roads in and around the city will be closed to traffic from 7.30am until teatime.

No vehicles - not even pedal cycles - will be allowed on Framwelgate Bridge, the Market Place, Saddler Street, Owengate, North and South Bailey, Dun Cow Lane, Bow Lane, Silver Street, Elvet Bridge, New Elvet Bridge, Territorial Lane, Elvet Waterside, Court Lane, Elvet Crescent, Old Elvet, New Elvet, Church Street and Whinney Hill.

With the exception of buses, traffic is also barred along Hallgarth Street, between its junction with Church Street, New Elvet and Stockton Road roundabout.

In New and Old Elvet, notices are being posted this week advising that no parking will be allowed from 7.30am on the day of the gala.

Any vehicles remaining in either street after this time may be removed by the police. It will cost owners a recovery fee of £105 plus storage charges of £12 a day to get their vehicles back.

However, residents of the streets affected by the closure order, as well as staff working in commercial premises will be able to apply for an access permit from Saturday.

Applications must be made in person at Durham City police office in New Elvet, with permits being strictly limited only to those residents or employees.

About 50,000 people came to the city for last year's gala and organisers are hoping for a similar turn out for what will be the 120th Big Meeting.