More than 400 people work at Ellington Colliery

A government-commissioned report says Ellington Colliery in Northumberland can not be sustained after that time.

The colliery, which employs almost 450 people, has only recently been promised a �60m aid package to keep it open until early 2007.

But the Department of Trade and Industry-commissioned report says the mine's poor reserves and chequered financial history means further subsidies are unlikely.

The pit's owners, UK Coal, has confirmed it has no plans to continue exploration at the Ellington pit after 2007.

Union leaders have condemned the study, claiming there are still viable reserves at Ellington.

'Political will'

The study, by mining consultants IMC, claims Ellington has geological problems and faces losing money over the next four years - despite the latest government grant.

A spokesman for UK Coal said: "What the consultants have said is factually correct at this point.

"But we will be making decisions about Ellington's future when decisions need to be made."

A spokesman for the national Union of Mineworkers (NUM), said: "There is still plenty of coal left at Ellington.

"If there is the political will from the government and from UK Coal, there is no reason why Ellington cannot remain open after 2007."

Ellington closed in 1994 with the loss of 1,200 jobs, but re-opened a few months later as a privately-run concern by UK Coal predecessor RJB Mining.