AT THE crack of dawn the former mining village was stirred to life by sounds and sights its residents had not seen for more than three decades.

Hundreds of people spilled into the streets in slippers and dressing gowns to watch their banner carried behind a brass band for the first time since the pits of Chopwell, closed in 1966.

The mornings preparations in Chopwell - nicknamed Little Moscow for its militancy - encapsulated the spirit that is the Durham Miners' Gala.

The revival of the parade through Chopwell is a sure sign that despite the death of coal mines, the community spirit in pit villages across the region is still very much alive.

As more than 100 residents clambered on buses to head to Durham, tens of thousands more were converging on the city for the 116th gala.

By 9.30am the streets were soon a seething mass of colour with about 60 banners, old and new, proudly born aloft.

For the 30 colliery bands, their highlight was playing to the luminaries who took the salute from the balcony of the County Hotel. And then on to the racecourse, where speaker after speaker railed against New Labour's desertion of its traditional supporters.

National Union of Mineworkers general secretary David Hopper summed up the gathering's feelings: "New Labour is out of touch, has lost its values and will be deserted by traditional supporters."

He criticised Tony Blair for not accepting an invitation to speak at the gala. He said: "It appears that it is more important to address the captain's of industry, the Women's Institute or almost any other assembly than the Durham Miners' Gala and its working class supporters."

A firm favourite was working class champion Tony Benn, who won rapturous applause for his punchy speech against the ills of capitalism and call to arms to the socialist banner.

Away from the speeches rock bands, proggy mat makers and sword dancers combined to make a family day out.