Workers at the UK's biggest mine complex in Selby appeared shocked - and resigned - by news of the closure of the complex.

UK Coal has announced its three pits - Wistow, Stillingfleet and Riccall - will be closed by the spring 2004.

As well as costing the jobs of 2,100 miners, another 3,000 indirect workers will be hit.

The National Union of Mineworkers says it is "annoyed, angry and devastated" by news of the closure.

Steve Kemp says the union is "annoyed"

Steve Kemp, general secretary of the NUM said the union felt as though it had been treated with "contempt" by the company regarding the decision.

"We are disgusted with the company's attitude for not having a meeting," he said.

"We are going to lose thousands of jobs in an industry which we believe if the right resources are placed in the coal field, the right investment, we can make a profit."

One miner said he had worked at the Wistow pit for 22 years.

He said: "We have known about it for a couple of years but even though we knew it was going to happen it is still a shock."

This is my third pit and they've all closed. I'm 56 now, there's no way I'll get another job

Nick White, from Wakefield

UK Coal has said it will discuss opportunities for some miners to transfer to other collieries.

The average age of the 2,100 staff working at the three Selby pits is 45.

Stephen Briggs, 51, from Leeds, said he had been told he had a job for life.

"It's not a shock that it is closing - we knew it would happen.

"You have to realise its getting harder and harder for the coal industry in this country."

He added that his colleagues came from all over Yorkshire and many would find it hard to find work again.

Another miner, Steve Preshaw, 40, from Rothwell, said many of his fellow workers would find it hard to find jobs with equal pay.

"You can earn up to �30,000 a year with bonuses.

Riccall mine is one of the collieries to shut

"Once you leave here there's no way you're going to find a job with similar money," he said.

Miner, Nick White, from Wakefield, is one of the workers unlikely to take up a relocation opportunity.

He said: "This is my third pit and they've all closed.

"I'm 56 now, there's no way I'll get another job."

Mick Mattison, who works in the medical centre at Wistow mine, said the way miners reacted to the redundancy package would depend on the deal itself.

He said: "It depends whether it is a short term closure package or whether the mine goes on being productive until 2004 with a wind-down period of six to eight months.

"If they cease productivity in 2004 we should get at least two more years of continuous employment after that, which would give time for re-training."