NORTH-EAST miners who feared they had missed out on industrial injuries compensation have been thrown a lifeline by Government officials.

Although the formal deadline for ex-miners suffering from vibration white finger to claim compensation expired at the weekend, the Department of Trade and Industry said it would be flexible if anyone submitted a late claim.

Lawyers representing North-East miners say more than 70,000 claims have already been lodged - nearly two-thirds of the national total.

More than £162m has been paid out to former mineworkers whose health has suffered because of the illness, which was caused by using pneumatic drills and other heavy machinery under ground.

Sufferers lose circulation in their arms and hands and often find it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as turning on a tap.

About 16,500 cases have already been settled and interim payments have been given to a further 16,100 claimants.

Tom Jones, of the law firm Thompsons, said: ''We are hopeful that most people will have made a claim by now, and anyway, it will be technically possible to make a future claim if anyone misses the deadline.''

A spokesman for the National Union of Mineworkers added: "The amount of publicity surrounding this issue means very few miners will be unaware of it, but some will have undoubtedly not come forward."