MINERS fighting for compensation for crippling knee injuries are furious after Malcolm Wicks, the energy minister, refused to back them.

Mr Wicks said yesterday it would be "inappropriate" for him to comment on mining unions' attempts to secure pay-outs.

And he said he would wait until test cases brought to court by mining union Nacods had been heard.

Mr Wicks' comments angered former pitmen in Gwent, around 5,000 of whom could have a possible claim.

One said delays could mean he would be dead by the time compensation was won.

Leonard Cole, 84, from Usk, said: "It sounds as if this will take a long time to get sorted out and it should be done as soon as possible.

"It took three years after I applied to get compensation for my chest disease.

"If it takes three years for this, the money can pay for my funeral."

Brian Prosser, of Oakdale, who has trouble walking 100 yards because of the osteoarthritis in his knees, added: "The government should definitely come out and say something about this.

"If they are not going to admit to it, it could cost them the next election - I won't be voting for them again.

"I think it will take a long time - they will do anything not to give money out." Mr Wicks insisted the government's record on coal health was a good one.

He said: "It would be inappropriate for me to say anything at this stage - we will have to see what happens in court.

"My understanding is that test cases are being brought and they will have to go through that process. We will look at the implications in due course."

The Argus - which ran a Justice for Miners campaign to speed up chest disease compensation payouts - is supporting the latest bid for compensation for miners suffering osteoarthritis in their knees, after years of working in seams just two or three feet high.