A VILLAGE has paid tribute to the men who lost their lives in a mining disaster 100 years ago.

Hewers John Whittaker and Thomas McCormick died on November 16, 1903, in a flood at the Victoria Pit in Sacriston, near Chester-ler-Street. A third miner, Robert Richardson, was rescued after being trapped underground for 96 hours.

To mark the centenary of the tragedy, North Durham MP Kevan Jones unveiled a commemorative plaque in Sacriston Working Men's Club on Sunday.

Mr Jones said: "It is vital that we remember Durham's rich mining history and I congratulate the club for marking this occasion."

The club displayed its collection of memorabilia, including entries in the miners' lodge books logging the disaster and a silver commemorative cup from 1903, that recently turned up at a car boot sale in Morpeth, Northumberland.

Durham Mining Museum also put on an exhibition.

Club secretary Lawrence Claughan said: "This is a part of the history and culture of our village and we felt it was important to remember it."

Disaster struck at around 11.30am on November 16, 1903, when Mr Whittaker, hewing at the face of the Busty coal seam, hit a fault, releasing a torrent of water that had been pent up in old mine workings nearby.

His body was later found 60 feet away from the coal face, while Mr McCormick was found still in his work place. Both men had drowned.

Mr Richardson, who was working at a higher level, found himself cut off by the rising floods. He was trapped for nearly four days while engineers pumped out the water before the rescuers could go in.

Six of the rescue party, including colliery agent Captain William Blackett, received silver medals from the Royal Humane Society for their bravery and a further 50 were also commended.

Mr Claughan is trying to trace the silver medals. Anyone who can help should contact him at the club on (0191) 371 0334, or on (0191) 371 1197.