MINING unions could be heading for the courts again - in a bid to seek compensation for ex-miners with serious knee problems.

The massive compensation scheme for former pitmen with chest diseases, which closed in March, became the biggest in British history - with more than half a million claims registered from across the country. And the Argus fought a long Justice for Miners campaign to try to speed up payments from the Department of Trade and Industry.

Now a new potential legal action, for knee injuries, is in its early stages - but could pave the way for thousands of claims for former miners who may have suffered the injuries while kneeling down in cramped conditions after working underground.

A group litigation order has been sought at the High Court in Nottingham, by the Union of Democratic Mineworkers, to discuss who the lead solicitors should be. That hearing is due before a judge on June 17.

Mining union Nacods in South Wales, which won the battle for compensation for miners with respiratory diseases, will be attending the hearing.