A MINER'S son has been told he is unlikely to receive a bereavement payment sent to his mother two months after she died.

Muriel Harris died in March, aged 86, without receiving a penny in compensation for the suffering endured by her husband, William.

He worked in North Celynen pit, in Newbridge, for 47 years, and died in January 1996, aged 82.

Their son, also called William, learned in June that a bereavement payment was due to his mother.

The Argus reported last week how a cheque for £10,572.12 was sent to the solicitors handling the compensation claim, Thompsons, of Cardiff - but it was made out to Mrs Harris.

Mr Harris, aged 56, of Cwrt Yr Ysgol, Risca, was told he may not be entitled to the payment because bereavement awards do not automatically go to a widow's estate. Now he has learned it is unlikely the cash will be transferred to him.

A spokesman for the Department of Trade and Industry claimed vital documents needed to determine whether a bereavement award was due were not received until March.

He said: "If the widow did not receive a bereavement award due to delays by department contractors and is found to be entitled to one, the department considers making an ex-gratia payment."

But he said it was not considered that the department had failed in this case, and it was unlikely the ex-gratia payment - which is usually the same amount as the bereavement award - would now be made.

Solicitor Martin Khan, of Thompsons, said documents had been sent in November and January, and said the firm was pressing for the ex-gratia payment to be made.

Mr Harris said: "It is a rip-off. They always come up with an argument for not paying out. I feel bitter. This is what they are waiting for - people to die."

Mr Harris said he was struggling to pay a £1,700 bill for his mother's funeral, and had loans to pay for her to go into a nursing home.

"They will have to wait now," he said.