Join us on a trip down memory lane, as we take a look back at life down the pits in South Tyneside.

. The last shift, 1982
Sixteen miners donned their steel hats and entered the cage at Boldon Colliery for the last time on Thursday, June 24, 1982 | JPIMedia Resell Photo: Sunderland Echo

. The Marsden spirit, 1983
July 1983. The banner may be battered, the pit closed but the spirit of the Marsden Lodge lives on. | Johnston Press Resell Photo: Shields Gazette

. Whitburn Pit, 1968
Whitburn Pit, which closed in 1968. | Johnston Press Photo: Sunderland Echo

. Tea break, 1972
Miners coming off picket duty queue up for soup and tea at a kitchen set up for them and their families at Boldon Miners Hall in February 1972. | Johnston Press Resell Photo: Shields Gazette

. A family affair, 1984
Striking miners and their families stage a protest march to highlight the threat of electricity being cut off at miners' homes because of non payment of bills, in May 1984 | Johnston Press Resell Photo: Shields Gazette

. Standing guard, 1986
Pickets stand guard at Westoe's main gate in October 1986. | Johnston Press Resell Photo: Shields Gazette

. Champions, 1989
Glenn McCrory (left) pictured at Westoe pit in 1989, just after winning the world cruiserweight title, with his uncle Westoe miner Arthur Barrass. | Other 3rd Party Photo: Harton & Westoe Miners' Welfare.

5. Standing guard, 1986
Pickets stand guard at Westoe's main gate in October 1986. | Johnston Press Resell Photo: Shields Gazette

6. Champions, 1989
Glenn McCrory (left) pictured at Westoe pit in 1989, just after winning the world cruiserweight title, with his uncle Westoe miner Arthur Barrass. | Other 3rd Party Photo: Harton & Westoe Miners' Welfare.

7. Thumbs up, 1970
Westoe Colliery miners, left to right: J W Cranson of Consett; J W Rowlandson, O Bassett, and H Malcolm all of South Shields. | Johnston Press Resell Photo: Shields Gazette

8. Marching proud, 1970
The banner of Harton and Westoe Miners' Lodge hangs high outside the empty buildings of Harton Colliery, closed almost a year ago. Lodge officials and members pictured outside the former pit before marching to South Shields station on their way to the Durham Gala in July 1970. | Johnston Press Resell Photo: Shields Gazette