Michael Winters of Selby, North Yorkshire and Gale Roberts of Worksop, Nottinghamshire paid the money to the National Union of Miners (NUM).

The Solicitors' Disciplinary Tribunal upheld a Law Society ruling that had awarded the men �300 each.

The miners said they were not told it was not necessary to pay the dues.

Vibration injury

The miners were claiming compensation for injuries caused by vibration white finger - a disease that results from using powerful drilling tools.

They were represented by Barnsley-based solicitors, Raleys.

Geoffrey Williams QC, representing the Law Society, said there was no criticism of how Raleys handled the compensation claim.

Raleys represented the ex-miners under a scheme where their legal costs would be met by the Department of Trade and Industry if the claim was successful, the tribunal heard.

Mr Roberts said when he first contacted Raleys he was told he could only proceed if he signed a document agreeing to pay NUM contributions out of his compensation.

He told the tribunal he had left the union when he stopped working at the pit in 1994, adding: "I was under the impression that the NUM was paying for the claim to go through and that they were supporting me."

Mr Winters complained to his local MP that the NUM had taken �317.52 out of his compensation even though he had stopped being a union member in 1992 and had received no assistance from the NUM since then.