THE region's once-proud mining industry drew its final breath yesterday as the closure of the last North-East pit was announced.

The loss of Ellington Colliery, in Northumberland, and 340 mining jobs, signals the end of production in what was once the mightiest coalfield in the world.

Operations ceased at the region's last deep mine on January 12, when 1,200 gallons of water a minute began flooding the pit's only remaining production face, six miles off the coast, beneath the North Sea.

After two weeks of attempting to pump out the water, colliery owner UK Coal yesterday informed workers the pit was shutting down.

Chief executive Gerry Spindler said: "The loss of any mine in these circumstances is a bitter blow, particularly for our employees and the local communities in which they live.

"However, the safety of our employees is paramount."

Hydrological experts estimated that more than 100m gallons could be contained in old workings and the surrounding strata from which the water is seeping.

"While we have contained the flow, the face is flooded and mining adjacent reserves carries unacceptable levels of risk," said Mr Spindler.

"Therefore, we are left with no realistic option but to close the mine."

National Union of Mineworkers' president Ian Lavery condemned the closure.

He said: "We went into the meeting with the chief executive of UK Coal and within three seconds he told me the colliery was closing because of safety reasons.

"It is absolutely ridiculous to play the safety card on an issue like this."

Local MP Denis Murray, who worked at Ellington for 30 years, said: "I am bitterly disappointed in particular with the attitude of UK Coal.

"I do not think they have given the workforce the opportunity to see if they can get the water pumped out.

"The Ellington workforce was recognised by UK Coal as its best in the country. This seems a very strange way to repay them."

Alan Clarke, One NorthEast chief executive, said: "Today's announcement marks the end of an era in the North-East.

"For generations, the coal industry underpinned the regional economy and we should never forget the important part it played in the social and economic fabric of our region.

"We are already working with our public sector partners to put the necessary plans in place to offer the best possible opportunity of new employment for Ellington workers."

Ellington was the last deep mine in the UK to extract coal from under the sea. It produced about 12,000 tonnes a week, most of which was supplied to the nearby Alcan smelting plant.

UK Coal said Ellington made an estimated loss of more than £11m last year.

It has remained open because of the Alcan contract, bolstered by Government subsidies, including a £2.1m grant last year.

Ceasing production at the colliery will cost UK Coal about £10m, including redundancy payments.

It has invested more than £8m in Ellington since 2001, much of it on equipment that has been lost on the flooded coal face.

The first pit at Ellington was sunk in 1910, and at its height it employed 2,179 men above and below ground.

It closed in 1994 with the loss of 1,200 jobs, but reopened a few months later as a privately-run concern by UK Coal predecessor RJB Mining.

Councillor Michael Davey, leader of Northumberland County Council, said: "Even though there had been speculation, this announcement is a major blow for all those affected, as well as for the local economy.

"We are calling for the immediate setting-up of a task group to look at the regeneration of this part of the county, where Ellington has made such a contribution to the working lives of families and communities for decades."

Arnold Baker, ward councillor for Ellington, said: "Monday was supposed to be the most depressing day of the year, but this is the most depressing day for a generation - because so many good, hard-working men have lost their jobs.

"This will have a huge impact on their families.

"It is going to be very difficult indeed to recover from this."

* A further blow to Northumberland's economy was struck when Viagra manufacturer Pfizer announced its Morpeth plant was surplus to requirements.

The drugs company said it wanted to sell the factory as a going concern and secure the future of its 571 employees.