THE widows of former Bolton miners who suffered chest complaints, have bombarded union bosses with compensation calls.

Shortly after the BEN revealed that time was running out for ex-mineworkers to make cash claims, 14 women contacted TUC chiefs about the cash payouts.

Following a High Court ruling up to £1.5bn was set aside by the department of Trade and Industry to pay out to miners who suffered chest complaints.

But on Monday we revealed that a March 31 cut-off date for compensation claims was looming.

It prompted more than 20 people from the town - either former mineworkers or relatives of miners - to ring a special hotline number to begin the process of registering a claim, and union bosses yesterday said that 14 of those were Bolton widows of ex-miners, who are also eligible to make a claim on behalf of their dead husband.

Alec McFadden, TUC North-west representative, said: "A lot of the men who have died were in a very, very bad condition.

"Many just could not breathe because their lungs were full of coal dust and so it brings up extremely upsetting memories for their widows, who have decided to lodge the claims.

"Because of this a lot do not even bother, but following the BEN article the response has been staggering."

Mr McFadden said his office had received calls about potential compensation pay-outs from people living in Kearsley, Farnworth and Walkden.

He said that ex-miners could be awarded as much as £40,000 in compensation, dependent on their age.

And Mr McFadden also revealed that, following representations from union officials, the cut-off date has now been extended to October 31, giving potential claimants an extra six months.

He added: "At last the DTI have seen common sense and granted the extension. We would urge people not to sit back. They must act quickly."

Anyone who wants to register a claim for compensation as, or on behalf of a former miner who suffered chest complaints, should contact 0800 0926075.

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