A COMMUNITY is developing ideas for a miners' banner as it seeks to celebrate its heritage.

The project is part of a partnership between Willington Community Partnership, the National Union of Mineworkers' (NUM) Durham area and Thompson's Solicitors of Newcastle.

The idea is to represent the links between the community of Willington, near Crook, as it is today and the mining history that it once had. Brian Myers, chairman of the Willington Community Partnership and Durham county councillor, said: "It think this is terrific for the area and the mining heritage. We felt that we needed a permanent reminder to the present-day community, of the sacrifice that was made by the men and boys in the past to get the coal out of the ground.''

Coun Myers said the opportunity to have the banner came through the NUM and that the community partnership was delighted to take up the offer.

One side of it will feature J P Roberts, the miners' first attorney in Durham, alongside Thompsons Solicitors, who now represent them.

The other side will depict the Durham Miners' Association and the name of the collieries which have closed in the area. plus a simple logo to represent Willington Community Partnership.

The whole project is being sponsored by Thompsons and it is hoped that the banner will be finished in time for the Durham Miners Gala in July.

Coun Myers said: "We hope to have it unfolded and dedicated at the town's carnival in June in time for the gala where, hopefully, both the banner and an accompanying band will be able to take part in the cathedral service.''

Willington, like many South Durham communities,has a long mining history. It was surrounded by working mines, including Pagebank, Brancepeth, Sunnybrow, Bowden Close and Oakenshaw.

Coun Myers said: "A lot of men and boys lost their lives down the mines, and today there are a lot who suffer from industrial diseases such as emphysema. This banner will be a fitting tribute.''