HUNDREDS of former coal face workers at pits in East Lancashire could be set to carve out millions of pounds in compensation for the crippling industrial disease known as vibration white finger.

Up to 1,000 ex-miners from the area could have lost full use of their hands because of the injury caused by using heavy vibrating equipment.

A record £500 million compensation deal for over 40,000 ex-miners was agreed yesterday and former coal workers could receive total damages from £5,000 to £50,000 each.

The deal agreed at a court hearing yesterday is expected to be followed later this year by an even bigger settlement for ex-miners suffering from chest diseases.

That could reach a total of £1.5 billion and will affect even more local pitmen.

Former Burnley National Union of Miners branch president Alan Chadwick was the first ex-miner locally to receive compensation for vibration white finger seven years ago and he now works on a voluntary basis to help fellow miners. Mr Chadwick worked as an engineer at Hapton Valley pit repairing and testing the heavy drilling equipment.

He said: "In may case it affected my arms as well as my hands. I knew something was wrong and I took out a private case and had private medical tests. "Especially in cold weather I lost feeling in my fingers and then it would change to a sensation like a minor electric shock.

"I used to have to bathe my hands and arms in hot water so that I could work and then I needed someone to drive me to work.''

Mr Chadwick said: "The condition affects mainly coalface workers, tunnellers and engineers like myself who tested the equipment.

"There must have been hundreds or even up to 1,000 in the East Lancashire area over the last 30-40 years.''

Widows of ex-miners can also claim compensation although they will need evidence to show their late husbands suffered from the injury.

Mr Chadwick said there were local cases waiting for compensation which could now be paid out in a matter of weeks.

Others who had been refused might be able to put in a fresh claim while some had not claimed in the past because of fears of losing and having to pay solicitor's fees.

He said: "I urge them to go along to the DSS offices at Brun House, Burnley, and fill in the appropriate form."

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