BOLTON'S economy is set for a huge boost following the £500 million deal hammered out in the High Court for former mineworkers suffering Vibration White Finger.

Yesterday Mrs Justice Smith approved the settlement at Manchester High Court, which means scores of former British Coal employees, suffering from the debilitating condition, will be eligible to claim cash.

Solicitors believe claimants will be awarded between £5,000 and £10,000, although many miners will receive "significantly" more.

Additional general damages of between £1,000 and £15,000 could be awarded, with other payments of between £1,500 and £7,500.

And with one legal expert claiming "several thousand" sufferers live in Bolton and Leigh, it means the local economy could face a huge injection of money. Stephen Browell, who works for solicitors who are handling a number of claims for NUM (COSA) members, believes there may be many local miners who have not yet claimed.

He added: "We act on behalf of the white collar section of the NUM, which is just a small section of the union, but I would estimate we are dealing with a couple of hundred claims from people in the Bolton and Leigh area.

"I think that is just the tip of the iceberg and there may be a lot more people who are eligible to claim.

"When you consider that in 1976 there were up to 20,000 people working in the mining industry in the Lancashire area, there could be thousands of sufferers in the area."

VWF is caused by prolonged exposure to vibration, typically from drills and pneumatic tools traditionally used in mining.

The condition - sometimes called Raynaud's disease - results in the loss of the use of fingers and hands, making everyday tasks, such as buttoning a shirt or driving a car, more difficult. And the landmark court settlement was welcomed by Billy Kelly, general secretary of the NUM's Lancashire branch.

He added: "Part of that money will be coming into Bolton, Leigh, Atherton and the surrounding area. Obviously, it will boost the local economy.

"We believe there are a considerable number of local people who have still not lodged a claim. We would urge them to contact our solicitors as soon as possible."

And people who have not yet made a claim who are members or former members of NUM (COSA) are being urged to telephone the Trade Union's helpline on 0800 413385.

Past and present NUM members who believe they are suffering with VWF should contact 0800 0732101.

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