I was 8 years old at the time and remember being moved to tears by this over the days as the story unfolded. I was struck by the fact that many of the children were of a similar age to me.

Eddie - don't forget the men who lost their lives in mining disasters - it's not a thing of the past. There was a fatality earlier this week in a Yorkshire pit.

I'll be raising a glass tonight to ALL who have suffered as a result of mining - those who died and those left behind.

"Weave and Worry".

Deirdre