TRADE unionists lined up to slam Tory austerity and the attack on their movement to the deafening cheers of an estimated 175,000-strong gathering at the Durham Miners’ Gala this weekend.

As the sun shone on crowds not seen for half a century at the 131st gala on Saturday, speakers said that the time was coming to “defy unjust laws” if the Tories impose unachievable turnout levels for strike ballots.

The Big Meeting, as the gala is traditionally known, began with three marches merging into one huge column in the heart of the cathedral city.