The former pit workers claim they are owed money because solicitors firms deducted fees from their compensation payouts for ill health.

Now the Law Society has taken the unusual move of awarding money because of the poor health of many of the miners — so they do not have to wait for the outcome of disciplinary action against solicitors.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is taking action against the solicitors firms to gain an order forcing the firms to release the money and normally the miners would not receive the money until after then.

'Immoral'

Warsop MP John Mann, who has been fighting to win back money for the miners, told Chad: "This is an important development and shows clearly the feelings of the wider legal profession about this issue, and underlines the immoral behaviour of certain firms of solicitors.

"It is right that people get their compensation as soon as possible. I am now in my sixth year of fighting on behalf of local miners and widows for compensation justice.

"It is a long war but we have won many, many battles against fat cat lawyers and greedy solicitors. I will not stop until every miner gets all their compensation money and charges and deductions that have been taken wrongly have been paid back."

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