Funeral held of Durham Miners' Association stalwart

The funeral will be held today for a stalwart of left-wing politics who died only a week after welcoming Jeremy Corbyn to one of Europe's largest trade union events.

Dave Hopper was secretary of the Durham Miners' Association and he strongly backed the Labour leader to retain control of his party when the two men shared a platform at the Miner's Gala, or Big Meeting, earlier this month.

A humanist ceremony will be held at the Miners' Hall in Durham city centre, led by Rodney Bickerstaffe, the former general secretary of Unison.

It was not known if Mr Corbyn will attend the service.

Mr Hopper, who was a former pitman, died aged 73 at his home in East Boldon, South Tyneside.