MINERS, their widows and children are invited to attend a legal clinic at Burnley Town Hall next Thursday, May 27 to find out about claiming Government compensation for work related illnesses.

Miners who contracted chronic bronchitis and emphysema could, in some cases, receive compensation of up to £50,000.

An agreement on compensation for ex-coal miners with vibration white finger was also announced in January.

Alec McFadden, North West representative for the Trades' Union Council, said: "While welcoming the settlement we are concerned that every week miners are dying without receiving compensation. "We believe that less than half of those entitled to compensation have, as yet, applied and only 12,500 have received any payment at all.

"The money is available and the medical testing centre will speed up the process. Our job is to ensure that everyone entitled to claim does so. The sooner the claim the sooner the compensation will be paid out.

"When we held a legal clinic in Bolton we had more than 40 widows of former miners come along. We believe that the majority of miners over 70 have died but their widows are still entitled to compensation on their behalf. We know it is distressing which is why we have counsellors on hand to speak to people.

"The money is there at the moment but if it is not claimed it will go back to the Government."

He said many people would be entitled to legal aid, but if not the TUC had also arranged with a solicitor that any cases should be pursued on a no win-no fee basis.

The clinic will be open at the town hall from 10am to 3.30pm and anyone wanting more information can call a freephone number 0800 092 6075.

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