THE campaign for ex-miners to be paid compensation for crippling knee injuries is expected to take a major step forward next week.

Officials from miners' union Nacods, which is leading the Argus-backed campaign, expect to be given permission by Judge Grenfell at Leeds County Court on Monday (APR 30) to view British Coal Board documents held by the Department of Trade and Industry.

The judge is also expected to agree to another key development, the opening of a register of claimants.

Nacods estimates that around 5,000 Gwent ex-miners could lodge claims for compensation, saying their work underground led to their injuries.

An average of £10,000 could be paid to each successful applicant if the Government is found to be liable.

Bleddyn Hancock, leader of Nacods, said: "We hope to complete our investigation of the Coal Board documents as quickly as possible, as we are very aware that many of these miners with severe knee injuries are elderly men, and time is of the essence."

Nacods argue the prolonged kneeling, crouching and squatting in coal pits, as well as heavy physical work many miners had to endure, led to thousands suffering from serious knee injuries, causing chronic and debilitating conditions like osteoarthritis.

A full trial is not likely to be held until at least spring 2008.

The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) says "no evidence has been produced to suggest that any liability attaches to the DTI for knee injuries".

Mr Hancock said: "We are reluctant to take this fight for justice to court but have been forced to, due to the government's refusal to meet us and discuss this issue - despite approaches from us."

The union began a successful fight for compensation for retired miners with chest disease in 1988 and is still dealing with cases. This campaign - also backed by the Argus - has become the biggest compensation scheme in history.