More than 500 Selby miners today hit the compensation jackpot when the Government approved a £500 million package for a newly-diagnosed disease called vibration white finger.

The deal, which will compensate over 25,000 miners nationally, was announced today at a High Court hearing in Manchester.

Lawyers acting for miners and retired pitmen finalised the settlement package with the Department of Trade and Industry, which is liable for the cash on behalf of the former British Coal.

The half a billion pounds compensation pay-out is the biggest ever agreed against a single employer.

Over 25,000 miners - including between 500 and 800 in the Selby complex - have registered claims for so-called vibration white finger, which causes fingers to turn white and numb and hands to weaken as a result of using hand-held vibrating tools such as pneumatic drills and jigger picks.

The condition - sometimes called Reynaud's disease - makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as picking up loose change or undoing buttons. Hands can also become very painful if exposed to cold.

In a test case last year, seven miners were awarded £5,000 to £41,000 because of the condition.

Most of the vibration white finger victims are aged 45 to 70, but some are in their early 30s. A court of appeal has already ruled that British Coal was negligent from 1975 in failing to take precautions against injury through using hand-held tools.

Ken Rowley, National Union of Mineworkers' branch secretary at Selby's Wistow Mine, is a vibration white finger sufferer who says he wakes up most nights with his hands completely numb.

He said the Government compensation package was excellent news as justice had been a long time coming.

Mr Rowley, who is also a member of the NUM's national executive, added: "We welcome this scheme, but we don't agree to be bound by it if it proves to be not good enough.

"Our union was not party to the negotiations, and we reserve the right to take individual cases to court."

Mr Rowley said the NUM's approved solicitor in Yorkshire was Raleys, of Barnsley, but if any miners or ex-miners were in doubt they should contact their union branch officials.

Miners can also call a special claims hotline on 0800 336699.

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