A WOMAN who has almost single-handedly championed the cause of sick and dying miners, has finally won her own personal battle for justice.

Pat Daglish was spurred into action after witnessing the slow death of her father, Thomas, whose lungs were wrecked by years of working in pits.

Five years ago, he submitted a compensation claim for his illness which left him requiring 24-hour care and oxygen to breathe.

But he died in 1999, nursed by Ms Daglish, without the cash having been paid.

That claim has now finally been settled in full, with Ms Daglish accepting a five-figure sum from her father's former employers British Coal.

Ms Daglish, from Stanley, County Durham, has proved the driving force behind The Northern Echo's Justice for the Miners campaign.

She collected thousands of protest signatures and has met Government Ministers in an effort to speed up the compensation process.

Ms Daglish said: "I feel as if finally my father can rest in peace, as this was important to him.

"He said to me before he died to carry on fighting and get the compensation that was due, as it was basically for me.

"It's just a shame that to get here we've had to jump every hurdle possible put in front of us and seen countless promises broken."

Pay-outs for mining-related lung disease in the North-East have reached £31m and the compensation process has been speeded up.

But, with new claims still being registered each week, it is not known how long it could take to finally clear all the claims.

Ms Daglish has requested another meeting with Government Energy Minister Brian Wilson to discuss the situation.

She has seen a close friend die recently, who was also battling for justice for her late father.

"I was sick of people that I know dying before receiving the money that they were owed, and I still am," she said.

"I have settled my claim, but that should not stop the campaign, or the pressure on the Government."

Philip Thompson, of Sunderland solicitors Thompson and Co, who has handled Ms Daglish's claim, said: "I met Pat's father and witnessed his suffering.

"I am pleased for her after what she has gone through that she has finally got a settlement."