A MAJOR exhibition is being organised by The Northern Echo to raise money for our campaign to mark the graves of the victims of the North-East's worst coal mining disaster.

The exhibition will be held a year after we launched the campaign to coincide with the anniversary of the 1909 explosion of the West Stanley Burns Pit disaster, which claimed the lives of 168 men and boys.

For the first time the so-called "lost" names of 55 men and boys who were laid to rest in unmarked mass burial trenches will be revealed to the people of their home town at the exhibition, between Friday, February 14 and Sunday, February 16, at the Lamplight Theatre in Stanley, County Durham.

Another highlight will be a talk, slide show and music event between 2pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, February 15. Amateur Stanley historian Jack Hair will present the slide show and deliver a talk on the disaster after music from Consett Junior Brass Ensemble and a few songs from upcoming folk talent Dan Hands.

The event will be rounded off with a performance by folk musician Benny Graham, of Stanley.

The Northern Echo exhibition will be presented at The Lamplight at the same time as Coalfield Stories, a photographic display about life in former mining communities.

Tickets cost £1 for the West Stanley Burns Pit Disaster Exhibition and are available from the Lamplight box office during the exhibition. A ticket to the talk and music event also costs £1 from the box office and also allows access to the exhibition.

Tickets for the talk are expected to be limited. All of the proceeds from the exhibition will go towards the marking of the graves. All participants, including Derwentside District Council which owns the theatre, have given their services free.

To help in the campaign, call Chris Webber on (01642) 513346. To contribute, send cheques made payable to The Northern Echo's Stanley Pit Disaster Memorial Appeal to The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF