THE Government was accused last night of creating panic after hundreds of former pitmen jammed solicitors' phone lines fearing their compensation cash was about to lost.

It was announced yesterday that those who had not yet accepted offers under its fast-track scheme only had until February 23 to do so.

Solicitors said that many claimants believed mistakenly that their claims were about to be lost and had been given the impression that they had no alternative but to accept fast-track offers.

Anyone rejecting a fast- track offer, who opts to wait for a full medical, can still receive 70 per cent of the sum offered now, as The Northern Echo reported yesterday. Any outstanding amounts will be paid later.

Phillip Browell, of Newcastle-based Browell, Smith and Company solicitors, said that the firm had received more than 100 calls following the announcement of a deadline.

He said: "There was an old gentleman who thought that, if his claim had not been settled by February 23, it was to be cancelled.

"The DTI has done this in such a way that the elderly and sick think they have no alternative but to accept the fast-track offer, and that saves the Government a hell of a lot of money."

Mr Browell said that anyone who had not received a fast-track offer should not panic.

"If you have a fast-track offer, respond by the date given in the letter with your offer," he said.

"And remember, if you don't accept the offer, you lose nothing."