HUNDREDS of ex-miners from East Lancashire suffering from chronic bronchitis and emphysema will take part in a national lung screening programme.

The spirometry testing programme announced by Energy Minister John Battle forms a key stage in the process of settling claims from more than 60,000 former British Coal workers.

The tests will begin at various centres in the country next month.

Mr Battle said the appointment of Healthcall Services Ltd to carry out the screening programme was a major step forward for miners seeking compensation for lung diseases caused by coal dust.

He said: "I have also stressed the need to move forward quickly with these tests and hope the majority of claimants will have been seen by autumn this year.''

For most claimants the spirometry screening will be the first step in a full medical assessment process and form a firm basis for making payments to many thousands of sufferers.

The tests will allow government to prioritise claimants to ensure the most seriously disabled get fast-tracked through, to make further interim payments quickly to thousands of claimants and to offer full and final settlements in some cases.

Claimants will be asked to breathe through a tube to measure the capacity and efficiency of their lungs.

Further lung function tests will then be required as part of the full medical assessment process.

The announcement follows on an agreement on compensation for ex-miners with vibration white finger, caused through the operation of heavy mining machinery.

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