Miners' gala draws 100,000 people

Almost 50 colliery lodge banners were paraded at the gala

More than 100,000 people attended the 125th annual Durham Miners' Gala on Saturday - double the number expected.

Good weather and joint celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the miners' strike were the reasons behind the high numbers, Durham Police said.

Officers arrested 13 people for minor public orders offences.

Almost 50 former colliery lodge banners were carried in the traditional parade through Durham city centre, marking the area's mining heritage.

The so-called "big meeting", held on the old racecourse, also featured speeches from politicians and union officials, including veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner.

Among those marching in the parade were representatives from the threatened Corus steelworks at Redcar, Teesside.

A Durham Police spokeswoman said: "There was a very good spirit among the mainly families who attended the gala.

"We had 13 arrests, but these were a tiny minority of the 100,000 who attended."