PRIME Minister Gordon Brown will present commemorative badges to 25 former Bevin Boys today.

The Boys, many from the North-East who worked in Britain's coal mines during the Second World War, are being recognised with a special honour to mark their service.

Mr Brown's predecessor, Tony Blair, announced last June that badges would be produced to express the country's gratitude for their crucial role.

Some 48,000 conscripts were diverted to the mines in the final years of the war, when the UK was suffering severe shortages of coal.

The Government scheme was named after Labour legend Ernest Bevin, who was Minister of Labour and National Service in Winston Churchill's coalition government.

However, the importance of their contribution has never before been formally recognised.

Mr Blair told the Commons last June: "I think it would give them some recognition for the tremendous work that they have done, the sense of gratitude that the country owes to them."

Awards of the lapel badge this month coincide with the 60th anniversary of the demobilisation of the last Bevin Boys.

The badges feature a pithead design and profile of a miner.