ONE of Gwent and South Wales biggest attractions will not have to close at weekends says it's chief.

Worries about Blaenavon's Big Pit closing on Saturday and Sunday because of a cash crisis facing a key rescue service are unfounded according to manager Peter Walker.

The Mines Rescue Service provide cover if there is an emergency underground but its funding has been cut-back with the decline of the Welsh coal industry.

Despite not being a working mine, Big Pit in Blaenavon is dependant on the service which may have to cut back its provision because of problems raising the £1 million it costs to run the service each year.

Fears were raised that Big Pit would be left without provision it must have under health and safety regulations if the service by the MRS is cut.

This includes a mobile winder service for rescuing people trapped underground if there is a failure of the pithead winding gear.

But today Big Pit's manager told the Argus other arrangements would be put in place if there was a problem with the service and the museum would not be forced to close at the weekends.

"Big Pit along with other mine owners in the country is currently in talks with the MRS about the future of the service," he said.

"But tourist mines like Big Pit are actually exempt from the Mine Rescue Scheme which operating mines have to be part of by law."

Mr Walker said Big Pit was currently paying £5,000 to the Mines Rescue Service per year but was able to make it's own provision for underground escape services if it chose to and already has its own three trained rescue workers on site.

The museum is one of Wales' foremost attractions, drawing almost 160,000 visitors a year.

A National Assembly spokeswoman said it was aware MRS was seeking extra funding and said it had raised the matter with the UK government.