THE cut-off date for miners' respiratory disease claims is March 31 next year.

Miners and the widows and family of deceased colliery workers are being urged to claim now for a slice of what is thought to be the world's largest personal injury scheme. Around £1.7 million a day is paid out in compensation for respiratory and vibration related diseases.

About 120,000 individual respiratory disease compensation payments have been made since the scheme began and nearly 400,000 claimants have registered for claims expected to total six billion pounds.

No new claims will be processed under the scheme after March 31, 2004. Any claims made after this date will be handled through the normal Court processes.

Energy Minister Brian Wilson said: "It is essential former miners, and their families, who have still to claim, contact a solicitor or their union in order to lodge their claims as soon as possible."

"I recognise the sacrifice made by the thousands who worked in this country's coal industry and we must ensure this is repaid as quickly and fairly as possible."