HUNDREDS of widows whose husbands suffered from Vibration White Finger (VWF) could miss out on compensation after the Government refused to extend a deadline for claims.

Solicitors have been pressing Energy Minister Brian Wilson for more time to allow widows to claim under the national compensation scheme.

They have accused the Government of failing to reach agreement on how to assess the claims of widows of former miners who were never medically examined during their lifetime.

As a result, many have been left unsure about their ability to make a successful claim under the Government scheme, which ends on Thursday.

Despite the growing pressure, Department of Trade and Industry officials confirmed that the scheme would not be extended.

Solicitors said this could leave hundreds of widows having to pursue costly claims through the civil courts.

North-East solicitor Roger Maddocks, a member of the claimants solicitors co-ordinating group, said: "We believe it is unfair for the scheme to be closed.

"It will exclude many genuine claims from elderly miners' widows, who may already be in a difficult financial position."

The scheme was set up in January 1999 after the Government agreed to take on the liabilities of the former British Coal.

Sufferers of VWF complain of a numbing sensation in their fingers, hands and arms.

Caused by the use of vibrating power tools, the condition often makes it difficult for victims to carry out the most basic of tasks.

About £228m has been paid to date to more than 42,000 claimants in the region.

Alan Cummins, the former Easington NUM Lodge Secretary, said: "The claims handlers have insisted that, where someone is dead and has not had a medical assessment, they are not prepared to look at the case."

However, a spokesman for the DTI said: "It was always made clear that, whether it was a posthumous claim or not, it had to be by October 31."

Anyone wishing to make a claim before the cut off date should call (0800) 5870753.