FORMER miner Ron Hindhaugh has dug deep into a rich seam of old photographs for a new book on mining.

Looking Back At . . . Mines and Mining charts 125 years of the history of King Coal, in County Durham.

Ron, from Stanley, has brought together a photographic record, mostly from his own collection of postcards, for the book, which is published by Durham County Books, the publishing arm of Durham County Council's arts, libraries and museums department.

It looks at all facets of the mining communities that once dominated the county, including the social and domestic life of pitmen and their families.

It tells the story of the county's mining industry in photographs and postcards of colliery sites, winding gear, pit ponies, and the men who went underground to win the coal.

The new Looking Back At series complements the already well-established Memories series, also published by County Durham Books, which looks at aspects of life in many of the county's villages.

David Boyes, of County Durham Books, said: "We are hoping to produce further titles in the new Looking Back At series in the future, possibly on farming or railways, and we would welcome ideas for subjects from potential authors.

"After all, they say there is a book in all of us so this is a chance to prove the theory.''

The book is available at libraries across the county and at local book shops, price £2.95.