A SUPERMARKET depot ensured former miners did not miss out on the Durham Miners' Gala celebrations.

Many residents from the Durham Aged Mineworkers' Homes Association (Damha) were not fit enough to attend the colourful big meeting in Durham at the weekend. So staff from the Asda distribution depot on the Pattinson Industrial Estate, in Washington, decided to make sure it was a day for them to remember, by presenting them with a £200 food hamper.

The association has decided to raffle the hamper and money raised will go to the Damha home at Langley House, in Horden, and three sheltered housing schemes in Easington, Murton and South Shields, for extra outings or social events.

MP Bill Etherington, an advisor and former committee member of the association received the hamper on their behalf.

He said: "The proceeds will go towards preventing our residents from feeling social isolation. Many of them, with strong mining connections, have fond nostalgic memories of Gala Day, but now it's too strenuous a day for them to actually attend."

Last year, the depot raised £17,000 for local organisations.