An exquisitely hand-crafted mascot's uniform last worn during the glory days of pit village jazz bands has seen the light of day after decades in a loft.

The uniform, which once belonged George Harris of the No Place Nobblers, was brought again after 70 years, in response to appeal by amateur local historian Bill Lees.

He is near the end of writing a book on No Place, a small village near Stanley, County Durham.

Mr Lees said: "It is unbelievable. A lot of people from that era have died, but we had an idea there would be some uniforms left."

Pit village jazz bands were formed in the wake of the 1926 strike, when many people were out of work.

It gave men something to do and competitions became something of an institution in the mining villages of the area.

The No Place Nobblers, who soon firmly established themselves as one of the favourites, were initially a motley crew dressed in all manner of clothing.

They wore anything from sailors suits to groundsmen uniforms. There were three children who had authentic American Indian clothing brought back from Canada by a miner.

As time went on they decided to smarten up and wives and daughters made the outfits, including a headdresses, ties and waistcoats, to wear to occasions.

The Second World War put paid to the No Place Nobblers and the uniforms all but disappeared, coming out only a few times briefly at weddings or special occasions.

Margaret Tubman of East Stanley, who took out the uniform in response to an earlier Northern Echo article said: "My father Robert and his brother Tom played in the band and their younger brother George was the mascot." Anyone who may have more information about the No Place Nobblers can contact Mr Lees on 0191-238065.