HUNDREDS of North-East miners' jobs have been safeguarded thanks to a £1m investment that will maintain production at their pit for the next five years.

UK Coal yesterday announced a plan to access new reserves from Ellington colliery in Morpeth, Northumberland - the last remaining deep mine in the region.

Without the investment the pit could have closed within a year, with the loss of 400 jobs.

Alec Galloway, UK Coal's managing director of deep mines, said: "Recent performances at Ellington have justified the investment needed to access additional reserves which will ensure continuity of mining for the next five years.

"We will, however, be reviewing the progress at Ellington on a monthly basis to ensure that the improvements of the past 12 months are maintained."

Colliery manager Gerry Huitson said: "This is a big vote of confidence in the future of Ellington and I am sure the workers will rise to the new challenge."

Ellington produces about 700,000 tonnes of coal a year. UK Coal's 13 deep mines produce 20 million tonnes of coal a year.

News of the investment, which it is hoped will open up huge new coal reserves, comes after months of uncertainty for the workforce, who have fought off closure for the second time in three years.

Earlier this year UK Coal - formerly RJB Mining - gave Ellington only a 50-50 chance of survival after posting a £26.5m loss for last year.

A Department of Trade and Industry spokesman said: "We are very pleased to hear that UK Coal is planning to invest this money in Ellington, thus helping to secure its future.