A LITTLE over two decades ago, Easington Colliery was a thriving coastal mining community.

Residents loved their cosy colliery rows, families stayed on for generations, jobs were secure and local businesses were buoyant.

But on March 5, 1984, the miners' strike was called and the close-knit pit community would never be the same again.

Marilyn Johnson, whose husband, Jimmy, was a pitman at Easington Colliery, braced herself for what was to come.

Three weeks into the strike and Marilyn, Heather Woods and a handful of other wives formed a Women's Support Group and manned a kitchen in the workingmen's club to provide food for the struggling colliery families.

Yesterday, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the end of the year-long strike, Marilyn recalled the harrowing days which would end in the wholesale closure of the coalfields.

"The Tory Government had made it clear that it was hell-bent on taking on the industry and we were equally determined to try and save it," she said.

"It wasn't about money, it was about job security and we knew we had a hell of a fight on our hands.

"It was like wartime. The whole village clung together, businesses were marvellous supporting us."

But she recalls the worst day, when the village from the pit head to its main Seaside Lane was lined with 2,000 police in riot gear.

"We couldn't believe our eyes. It was terrifying. This was our little close-knit community under siege."

The last pit closed in 1993 when Jimmy left the coal face for the last time.

Sadly, his health deteriorated after that and, as he and Marilyn witnessed the demise of their village, they decided to move out.

They live in a bungalow at South Hetton, but will never forget the strike.

"We don't regret a day of it, but with hindsight we would have done things differently," said Jimmy.

For Marilyn, however, she will never forgive the then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.

"I have a bottle of champagne in the fridge and when she passes on, I will be opening it and having a celebration, I've never hated anyone in my life but that's how bitter I still feel."