NATIONAL Union of Mineworkers chairman Ian Lavery has called on the Government to back coal as "a fuel for the future".

By Mark Hughes HE IS the man who has devoted his life to trying to save Britain's coal mining industry. They are the eco-activists that are campaigning to stop the construction of Britain's first coal-fired power station in more than 30 years.

More than 300 mine workers who lost their jobs when a pit closed are to share compensation worth pounds 2 million, it was announced yesterday The money will be shared out between former employees of Ellington Colliery, near Morpeth in Northumberland, which ceased production more than three years ago following an inrush of water on its main production face.

By Dave Black HUNDREDS of miners who lost their jobs when the region's last deep pit closed three years ago are facing a further delay in receiving tribunal-ordered payouts of up to pounds 7,000 each.

By Dave Black MINERS who lost their jobs when the region's last deep pit was closed have been told to forget about pocketing long-awaited tribunal-ordered payouts in time for Christmas.