A LEGAL action that aims to recover millions of pounds from solicitors firms and claims handlers on behalf of sick miners will be formally lodged in the High Court this week.

The group action is being launched on Wednesday by Greene Wood and McLean, a London law firm, on behalf of ex-miners who did not receive 100 per cent of their compensation for afflictions such as lung disease and Vibration White Finger.

A £2.7bn national compensation scheme, co-ordinated by the Department of Trade and Industry, ensured that all legal expenses were covered in successful claims brought by ex-miners.

But many solicitors firms and claims handlers wrongly took a percentage cut which, in some cases, ran into thousands of pounds.

Those being targeted in the action include the Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM) and its subsidiary claims company Vendside, and solicitors Beresfords, of Doncaster. They have denied any wrongdoing.

The Government has set up its own inquiry looking at the national compensation scheme, while the Law Society is also investigating a number of solicitors firms to see if they broke its own rules.

Meanwhile, a not-for-profit campaign group, Action Group for Miners, has been set up to fight on behalf of those claimants affected.

It has urged any miner who did not receive their full compensation from their solicitor, claims company or union to join the group action, which it is supporting.

It is estimated that up to 500,000 miners - many from this region - did not receive the full compensation awarded to them from their claim.

The action group has signed up Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, a former police chief and Home Office advisor, to be its president.

He said: "Miners seeking compensation should not have had to pay any third party for managing their claim.

"The DTI has put in place a direct payment structure, therefore miners should not have to stand any legal or other costs of bringing their claim. Excessive charging has gone on in the past and is unacceptable."

For details on the action group call 0800 083 5417 or go the website www.actionforminers.org.uk