A CENTURY old banner has been brought home and will go on public display after amateur sleuths found it in storage at a museum.

For decades the banner of the National Union of Railwaymen’s Bishop Auckland branch represented its members at community events and on industrial action.

But in recent years it had fallen from memory and was only rediscovered when a new local history group started researching the town’s rail heritage.

Michael O’Neill, chairman of Bishop Auckland Station History Group, which was founded last month, learnt of the banner’s existence from retired signalman Trevor Lee.

The 85-year-old, from Bishop Auckland, a former union official, said: “I remember it well and know a bit of its history so was pleased to hear people were interested.”

The men discovered the banner had been housed at various locations across County Durham before eventually tracking it down at Locomotion: the National Railway Museum at Shildon.

The museum had looked after the banner but had not found it the perfect spot for display so agreed it should be returned to its home town.

The amateur historians and Durham County Councillors Joy Allen and Rob Yorke are now involved in talks to have it restored and exhibited, possibly at Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

Cllr Allen believes this is the first of many exciting opportunities that will arise from a number of history initiatives in the town.

She said: “I think it is important not to forget the past but also use it to learn, to involve young people and even remind people there is a station in the town.

“The banner is fantastic and it will be exciting to see it restored and on display, in particular I really would love to see it paraded in Durham Miners Gala.”

Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman was invited to see the banner along with project leaders and former railway workers on Saturday.

She said: “It is absolutely beautiful.

“It is really good that people have looked after it, now I hope that we can keep it somewhere everyone can see if and enjoy it.”

Retired track maintenance worker Ron Jefferson, who was branch secretary for 12 years, was delighted when he heard it would be unfurled once more.

He said: “I remember it being used, twice for action in Darlington and when we tried to save Shildon wagon works in 1983.

“It is very poignant to see it again.”

Mr Lee added: “I am very proud of its history and it is nice to know it will go up somewhere to remember the railway heritage and workers of the area.”