One of the UK's last surviving miners' gatherings was taking place on Saturday.

The annual Durham Miners' Gala features a march and parade of pit banners through the city.

About 40,000 people were expected to attend the event, which will culminate in a festival on the city's racecourse.

At its peak, in the 50s and 60s, the gala - dubbed the "big meeting" - attracted big name Labour politicians and crowds in excess of 300,000.

Mainly replica banners are now on show

James Callaghan was the last Labour prime minister to attend the gala in 1978, and Neil Kinnock was the last Labour leader to take part in the event.

At the peak of "coal power" there were more than 200 pits in the Durham coalfield alone. Now only one deep mine remains in operation in the north east of England.

Former pitmen and union members in the area say they are determined to keep the gala alive.

David Hopper, general secretary of Durham National Union of Mineworkers, said: "We hope the gala will be a big success.

Union leaders

"We want to keep the tradition on. We have secured funding to keep it going for the foreseeable future."

Banners were gathering from 0900BST to parade through Durham City.

Speeches were set to start at 1130BST at Durham's racecourse.

Former Labour MP Tony Benn was due to speak along with union leaders John Edmonds and Veronica Dunn.

A service was also organised to take place in Durham Cathedral at 1500 BST for the blessing of the banners.