FORMER miner Frederick Harris (pictured) had his claim turned down for compensation for chest diseases caused by his years in the pits.

Now, ironically, his widow, Jean, is hoping post mortem examination reports will prove he deserved the cash.

But she has already waited 14 months for any payout - even though the government has pledged that widows have priority in the compensation process.

Mr Harris, of Talywain, died aged 68 last March of an aneurysm. He had begun his fight for justice in 1997 - only to be told he wasn't entitled to compensation because he could not prove the level of his ill-health.

Mrs Harris contacted the Argus after reading last week of ex-pitman Don Lawrence, who also died waiting for compensation.

She said: "The men that are dying are not having any benefit and the wives are left struggling.

"It's when they're alive they should have the money, not when they're dead." Meanwhile, ex-miner Robert Surtees, of Croesyceiliog, has been waiting more than four years for the compensation he is claiming for chest diseases caused by his years in the pits.

And he says he fears he, too, will die before he sees a penny of it.

"I have a genuine claim - it is ridiculous how long it has taken," said Mr Surtees, 80. The Argus has been campaigning for nearly three years for compensation payments to be speeded up to ex-miners suffering chest diseases or their families.