INSTANTLY recognisable by his shock of white hair, the former Labour leader Michael Foot epitomised the spirit of the day.

Frail he may have been, at 88, but he stood resolute throughout the long proceedings, punching the air with his walking stick as he saluted a swirl of brass bands parading past him.

The darling of this year's Durham Miners' Gala, the stalwart's message was clear - the Gala is as much about the future as it is about the past.

He said: "It is wonderful to see the Durham Miners' Gala bigger than when we used to come up. It is a tremendous achievement and I'll be here next year.

"In fact, I'll be here every bloody year until I conk out, because it is the spirit of the Durham Miners' Gala movement that can save the whole Labour movement.

"The Labour leaders and everyone could learn a whole lot here, and I hope Tony Blair will be here next year. I will extend an invitation to him personally."

An estimated 50,000 people converged on Durham City under a brilliant summer sky on Saturday, with dozens of bands and banners transforming the streets into a sea of colour.

Ubiquitous Socialist Worker sellers hawked their papers with the headline calling on people to "join the revolt," while all the time overhead an aeroplane trailed its message: "Unison says keep public services Public."

Between 40 and 50 bands wound their way through the streets, including a detachment of former wartime Bevin Boys.

One of the many banners making a return for the first time in 63 years was that of the Browney Lodge. The proud moment followed a £4,000 appeal raised for a replica to be made.

A lone Free Palestine banner struck an incongruous note, but nonetheless drew applause, while the Newcastle Samba struck a different note to the stirring sound of brass.

After the bands performed their well-practised pieces for the dignitaries on the balcony at Royal Couny Hotel, in Old Elvet, it was off to the racecourse to hear speaker after speaker rail against the ills of capitalism and globalisation.

GMB general secretary John Edmonds spoke of a time to "refresh our spirit and to remember trade unions in their struggle across the world."

Asking the gathering if they supported local authority workers' claims for a 'fiver an hour,' he initially drew a lacklustre response. "This isn't a Labour focus group," he said and exhorted them to greater efforts until people cheered enthusiastically.

The last speaker needed no introduction. Tony Benn, who first addressed the gala 40 years ago and was making his 21st appearance, said: "I was 37 when I first came to the Gala and have been through good times and bad.

"But I have never been to a Gala where I have felt a stronger feeling of optimism about the future than I have now."