The families of miners who died without receiving compensation for a crippling industrial disease will be able to claim money posthumously.

The decision, which has been welcomed by mining unions, could see thousands of further compensation claims against the government.

A change of rules by the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) means claims for sufferers of vibration white finger can be made for miners who have already died.

The crippling condition was developed by operating or driving vibrating heavy equipment.

Medical evidence

It is related to Reynaud's disease and causes fingers to go white with permanent loss of feeling in the worst cases.

Clare Walker, claims manager for the Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM), said the union met with DTI recently to discuss the change in policy.

"They are going to put a medical evidence process in place to allow doctors to interview next of kin to describe symptons when the miners were alive."

"Before, you either had to be alive so you could go through a medical assessment or have medical evidence before you died.

"We are very mindful it is going to create many thousands more claims."

Largest payout

Thousands of miners have also made claims for contracting serious lung diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis.

Paddy Tipping, MP for Sherwood, said: "It is the largest claim in history. It will take time to pay out.

"I know the miners and their families and widows are anxious about that.

"Our estimate is still the same. We expect to pay everybody out within three years."