LANCASHIRE County Council's Welfare Rights Service is trying to trace former coalminers who may have had a claim for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit wrongly turned down by the Department for Work and Pensions.

It has recently come to light that some coal miners suffering from the chest disease pneumoconiosis may have had their claims for benefit incorrectly refused in the past because their disease was misdiagnosed.

Any miner diagnosed as having pneumoconiosis caused by their job should automatically be entitled to some benefit.

County Councillor Niki Penney, Cabinet Member for Communications, Information and Lifelong Learning said: "Any ex-miners who have had a claim for pneumoconiosis turned down by the Department for Work and Pensions because they were said not to have the disease should now claim again.

"They may be entitled to benefit of around £11 a week plus arrears and also to compensation for the mistake that was made." Anyone wanting to claim should fill in the coupon in leaflet PNEU1.

For a copy of this leaflet ring the Welfare Rights Service Headquarters on 01772 263504 or write to the freepost address: Lancashire County Council, Welfare Rights Service, Freepost, Preston, PR1 8BR.