EX-MINER Jack Nadin had to dig deep into a mountain of library books to research the history of Lancashire's coal mines.

Now his hard work and patience has paid off in another way.

Mr Nadin, a local historian and member of Burnley Central Library, has been selected as the regional winner in a national competition, the Independent Library Learner Award.

He will receive a cheque for £50 during a ceremony at the library on Thursday.

The award is staged by the Library Association and the organisers of Adult Learners Week, and aims to reward people who use the library service and whose work has enhanced their life or the lives of others.

Burnley Library nominated Mr Nadin, 48, of Willow Street, Burnley. He first used the reference library's newspaper collection to produce a cuttings file with accompanying notes and maps on coal mines around Burnley.

His research led to two works on the Lancashire coal mines, "Victims of the Lancashire Coal Mines 1850-1913" and "The Price of Coal 1900-1913". He has also written a series of short articles on "100 Burnley Worthies" and a history of Hapton Colliery.

Most of his work has been donated back to the library, which has an important collection of work on the town's coal industry.

Mr Nadin, who has never had any formal training on research methods, said: "I visit the library at least two times a week. The staff have got to know me.

"I find the library is very useful and I'm pleased to be able to donate most of my work back to the staff here."

Mr Nadin will be presented with his prize by Mark Hayes-Green, of Ivy Business Training Software which sponsored the competition.

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