THOUSANDS of east Durham youngsters gathered yesterday for their own version of the Durham Miners' Gala.

The five to 11-year-old pupils from 40 schools took part in a massive outdoor festival at Seaham Leisure Centre to celebrate the start of the new millennium.

They were entertained by 25 performers, including jugglers, acrobats and musicians.

It included A Century in Springtime, a millennium anthem written by musician Jez Lowe on a commission from Easington District Council, which organised the event. Eight thousand balloons were released.

The Little Meeting, which also featured banners produced by each school, was funded with £10,000 given by NSK Bearings and £25,000 from the Millennium Commission.

The youngsters who attended the event will be given commemorative coins, which they designed as a keepsake.

Council chairman Bill Peardon said: "The Little Meeting is the biggest event the district of Easington has ever staged and it was a mammoth task.

"But it was a fantastic success and it was clear from the looks on the faces of all the children who took part that they really enjoyed themselves.

"We would like to thank NSK for its valuable support, involvement and interest in the event.''

The firm's human resources director David Smith said: "We were delighted to support and participate in such a unique event. The children of the district will always have fantastic memories of the millennium and this day in particular.''