Town's mining heritage remembered

A special ceremony has taken place to recognise Washington's rich mining past and inspire future generations to remember it.

The Rt. Rev. Mark Bryant, the Bishop of Jarrow, carried out blessings on banners that were created by children from every primary school in the town. He also carried out a blessing on a new miners statue, which forms a centrepiece in the town.

The Bishop said it was essential that people continue to remember the sacrifices made by the region's miners and that younger generations are educated in the region's mining past.

It's really important that in communities like Washington the pits were so important that there is something to remind future generations of what was going on.

Watch Kenny Toal's full report here: