Durham is geared up to welcome up to 200,000 visitors this weekend in celebration of one of the biggest events in its calendar.
Durham Miners’ Gala is always a spectacle of colour across the city and this Saturday's return is set to be no different with proud displays of miners' banners, processions and stomping brass band music. From the first event in 1871, organised by Durham Miners' Association, the Gala honours local mining history, trade union roots and includes the famous Big Meeting.
As those banners are unfurled in readiness for the street parade on July 8, we have, below, a guide to the event which will be taking over the streets of Durham, with the crowds set to pack out the streets to march in what is described as Britain’s biggest celebration of trade union and community values.
