FORMER miners whose lungs were ruined by coal dust were warned last night that their battle for compensation is far from over.

Leading North-East solicitor Roger Maddocks said that the rate of payments for hundreds of pitmen is still "unacceptably low".

He said it could still be many more months before fast-track measures introduced by the Government in September have a real impact.

So far, £97m has been paid out to miners who have contracted emphysema and chronic bronchitis from coal dust, with about £12m being won by the North-East.

Former miners and their families have been given unlimited time to make claims, which are still being collected nationally at the rate of up to 1,000 a week.

Mr Maddocks, who sits on the claimants' solicitors steering group, said: "So far, the rate of settlements has been unacceptably low.

"We are working to see that those most in need, the elderly, very ill and widows, are dealt with as a priority.

"But regrettably, it will take time before changes made to speed up the process show results."

County Durham miner's daughter, Pat Daglish, helped spark The Northern Echo's Justice for the Miners campaign.

It is just over a year since her father, Thomas, a former pitman, died and she said she expects his claim of three years to be settled "very shortly".

She said she believed some progress had been made, but was continuing to monitor the situation.

Improvements introduced by the Government have included fast-track compensation for urgent cases and "top-up" offers to miners who had already settled.

The number of staff involved in processing claims has been increased, while solicitors have been offered free seminars to help them better understand the process.

Energy Minister Helen Liddell said that £75m was "waiting to be posted out" to claimants.

However, she admitted: "This is nowhere near fast enough for those suffering, or for those of us who care deeply about their pain.

"Resources are being greatly increased and we are working closely with doctors and solicitors so these make a real difference.

"I will not rest until I see drastic improvements.