A PICTORIAL history of the heyday of the Durham Miners' Gala has gone on sale.

Memory Lane - the Durham Miners Gala is the latest book of old photographs produced by Durham City local historian Michael Richardson.

The hardback has 350 black-and-white pictures of the galas, held between 1935 and 1960.

Mr Richardson said: "It is the first time the gala has been covered in this way. It is a complete pictorial record of the years 1935 and 1960. Not only does it show the banners, it has processions, the speakers, and all other aspects of the event.

"There is a good chance that if the reader attended any of the events, they will be in one of the photos.''

It is available at bookshops and libraries in County Durham, and costs £14.99.

It will be available for £12.99 at the gala on Saturday, July 14, from the Durham County Council arts, libraries and museums department tent on the city's racecourse.