Restored miners' banner to hang in primary school

The South Pelaw mining banner was first unveiled in 1949

A 76-year-old mining banner has been repaired and will be put on display at a primary school in the village where it originated.

The South Pelaw banner had, until early 2024, been hanging in a neighbouring village, said Durham County councillor Tracie Smith.

Made in part from silk and featuring trade unionists Peter Lee and AJ Cook, it has since been stored at Redhills Durham Miners' Hall.

Ms Smith said she had spent £5,740 of her councillor budget to restore the banner and make it ready to be hung in Chester-le-Street Primary School later this year.

"I thought it was important to use some of my budget for the heritage of the area," she said.

"To remind people of what the village used to be like."

She said the banner should "hopefully" be in the school hall by September.

"It'll be great for the children to see the banner there. The memory of their mining heritage will always be with them."

The banner used to be on display in a neighbouring village

Stephen Guy, from Redhills, previously told the BBC that the banner was unveiled in July 1949 by Jack Lawson, a former coal miner.

"Banners shouldn't be rolled up and stored away," he said.

"They're too important for that."