MINERS campaigner Pat Daglish last week took her fight for justice to London where she met Government Energy Minister Helen Liddell.

Ms Daglish's father Thomas died from chronic bronchitis and emphysema and she collected more than 10,000 petition signatures towards the cause.

While The Northern Echo has pushed the plight of ex-miners and their families firmly into the public consciousness, Ms Daglish has also proved a driving force.

She said: "My father always said you should speak your mind if what you believe in is true.

"Too many people are just wind and water."

The thousands of petitions and signatures gathered by her and The Northern Echo were in a bundle tied with a black ribbon, which seemed appropriate.

She said: "This is in memory of my father and the thousands of other men who died after working down the pits."

Pat used to live in South Africa and managed cabaret acts. Her hobbies are travelling, walking and photography.

"Unfortunately I don't have time for any of these things anymore," she said.

"It was a 24-hour a day job looking after my dad and since he became ill my time has never been my own."

At the Department of Trade and Industry headquarters in London Ms Daglish met the minister in her offices overlooking Westminster.

The campaigner seemed pleased at her efforts, but sounds a note of caution to all concerned: "Progress has been made, but the fight goes on. It is not over yet."