PLANS to extract coking coal and fireclay from a new surface mine, with the creation of 60 jobs, were unveiled today.

UK Coal, the country's biggest coal producer, said it was seeking permission to extract 1.27 million tonnes of coal and up to 500,000 tonnes of brick-making fireclay from a site near Tow Law in the Wear Valley.

*Full story and reaction in tomorrow's Northern Echo.