FORMER England and Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan has backed the Northern Echo's campaign to remember those who died in the northern coalfields.

Keegan has lent his name to the paper's campaign to mark where many of the men and boys who died in the 1909 Stanley pit disaster are buried.

The soccer legend's grandfather, Frank, was a hero of the tragedy - he went back underground to rescue his trapped colleagues.

Despite his heroics 168 men died in the disaster..

Today many of them lie forgotten in a corner of a cemetery - with no plaque to mark their final resting place.

Keegan - now manager of Manchester City - said: "I think it is a wonderful idea to honour the heroes of the West Stanley Pit Disaster.

Sadly, it is 93 years too late for the families of those who died, but I wholeheartedly support your campaign."

* To read the full story see Wednesday's Northern Echo.