Coal extraction at Stobswood began in 1990

Staff at the 1,500-acre Stobswood mine in Northumberland fear they will be hit by large-scale redundancies because of the gradual run-down of the site and problems in sticking to noise limits.

More than 200 employees were called to a meeting on Thursday and given 90-day redundancy notices.

Up to 65 jobs could go at the mine within the next few months.

Site owner UK Coal admits further redundancies are possible if shift patterns have to be changed because of a long-running row over alleged noise nuisance from the site.

Northumberland County Council has issued a planning contravention notice against UK Coal - the first step towards launching formal enforcement proceedings which, could lead to prosecution.

Quality of life

Coal extraction at the Stobswood mine started in 1990 and will be completed by the end of 2004, according to UK Coal.

Company spokesman Stuart Oliver said: "The site is now at an advanced stage and within a couple of months there will not be enough work for all the 300 employees."

In November 2002 campaigners lost their fight against an extension to the mine.

Protesters from villages around the Stobswood site said they were angry and disappointed because of the noise and dust.

More than 12.2 million tonnes of coal has been extracted from the site.

The mine is the largest in the country and is 200 metres deep in parts.