A MAN who was called up to work in a North-East mine during the Second World War has welcomed a campaign to honour the Bevin Boys.

Alfred Gaddas, 79, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire worked in Ferryhill, County Durham, for three years from 1945 to 1948.

He had been expecting to join his four older brothers in the Armed Forces, but instead was sent down the mines.

Mr Gaddas was one of 48,000 young men who were conscripted to work in the UK coal mines after experienced miners were called up to fight in the war.

By mid-1943, coal production had slumped to dangerously low levels, prompting the then-Minister of Labour and National Service, Ernest Bevin, to put a proportion of conscripted men into the pits.

Last week, Labour's Gordon Banks tabled a Commons motion to have the Bevin Boys recognised with an award similar to those bestowed on military veterans.

Mr Gaddas said he was paid three pounds and seven shillings a week for working in the mines, but was left with only half a crown after paying for food and clothing.

"I was 18 when I was called up and you only got full pay when you were 21 - that was just when I got demobbed," he said.

"One of my brothers who was in the forces got a £500 gratuity when he was demobbed. You could buy a good house for that price."

The only thing the Bevin Boys were given was a helmet and a pair of steel toe-capped boots.

Mr Gaddas said: "I certainly think the governments of the day, right from when we were demobbed, were lousy.

"Apparently, you can buy a medal. If they can't give us one, they can keep it."