RETIRED miners will receive a one off payment of between £200 and £2000 each as part of a new Government backed scheme.

The £90 million scheme, in conjunction with the Trustees of the Mineworker's pension Scheme, will provide additional benefits for up to 66,000 retired miners on the lowest pensions.

Mineworker's Pension Scheme members who served at least five years in the industry and left before, or shortly after, 1975 will be entitled to the one off payment, which will complement the nine per cent bonus for all members agreed last year.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham said: "This will be an unexpected, but very welcome boost for many former miners in the Leigh area. It shows the Government is committed to giving them a better deal in retirement."

Full details of the scheme will appear in the next addition of the Mineworker's Pension Scheme newsletter. For public enquiries call 020 7215 5000.