A MINER'S widow who paid almost £2,000 to a law firm to claim compensation for her late husband's chest disease had her money refunded.

Ceinwen Wixey, 60, of Brooklyn Terrace, Llanhilleth, received a cheque for £1,933.57 from the firm.

Mrs Wixey said she was "extremely pleased" to have all her money back - and feels she has now had real justice for her late husband, Derek.

She complained to the Law Society in January after reading an article in the Argus, which has run a six-year Justice for Miners campaign.

The article urged former miners and their families to seek legal advice if they had money deducted from their damages.

Mr Wixey was a miner for almost three decades and was diagnosed with cancer in 2000. He died three years ago, aged 58.

A post-mortem examination found he suffered chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Mrs Wixey put in a compensation claim through DMH solicitors in Brighton.

She received £10,573.70 as a bereavement award in February 2004, and paid a 15 per cent fee of £1,586.02.

Later that year she received £2,329.64 compensation for her husband's illness. She was again asked for a 15 per cent fee of £347.55.

But now she has had all her money back - and may spend it on visiting family in America.

"My sister's granddaughter is getting married in the summer and I am invited, so this could help a lot," she said. "I am very grateful to the Law Society and the Argus for their help."

The Argus reported this week that the Law Society is continuing to urge solicitors to refund fees charged to ex-miners.

Spokesman Geoff Negus said: "We're delighted we have been able to help Mrs Wixey."

Bleddyn Hancock, of mining union Nacods, said he did not know of any solicitors in Wales who charged for claiming the compensation.

Islwyn MP Don Touhig said: "The government pays all the legal and medical costs, and I supported the Argus when it called for the money to be given to the people it was meant for. Every penny should go to the miners and their families."