GRAND National winner Red Marauder helped a village to celebrate its own success by being the guest of honour at a triple opening event.

The steeplechaser, who triumphed in last year's race, was accompanied by victorious jockey Richard Guest and his owner Norman Mason to New Brancepeth, to open the village's Royal Jubilee Memorial Garden and Millennium Miners' Memorial last Friday.

A third part of the village's celebrations focused on the opening of a new UK Online computer suite by Durham City councillor David Bell.

The evening began with a jazz band procession through the village, after which Red Marauder and his companions opened the memorial garden and miners' memorial.

Designed with the help of children from the village school, the memorial takes the form of a fence, depicting different aspects of mining from pit head wheels to miners' lamps.

The memorial garden stands in front of the village hall and contains a cenotaph dedicated to those who died in the two world wars.

The UK Online Centre is based in the village hall and there are plans to give everyone in the village their own e-mail address to use there.

Coun Bell said: "I am delighted that in just one year, we are already part of a team that has been able to bring such positive improvements to New Brancepeth village.

"The residents of the village are rightly proud of their efforts in improving the interior and grounds of the village hall and the celebration evening was an ideal opportunity to showcase their achievements.

"It was particularly fitting that it took place on the eve of the Durham Miners' Gala."

Also during the evening, the winner of a competition to design a logo for the village web site was announced by Durham City MP Gerry Steinberg and certificates were presented to residents who have completed a range of training courses..

It was rounded off with entertainment provided by pupils from Deerness Comprehensive School.