Miners have clocked on for the last time at the UK's oldest working coal mine.

The Prince of Wales Colliery at Pontefract in West Yorkshire is being closed after 130 years.

Its owners, UK Coal, say it has to close because geological conditions make it uneconomic.

The decision has cost the jobs of around 450 workers although some have transferred to other pits.

Some men have transferred to other pits

Fitter George Scoffins, 49, said: "It's a sad day. There is a lot of men very bitter about what has gone on.

"There's plenty of coal here and they could not get it because the company was not prepared to put up with some short-term losses."

Although the final day was deliberately kept low-key, at the request of unions, UK Coal invited a handful of former miners for a brief presentation ceremony.

Former pit electrician Len Whitwell, 82, said: "It's a sad, sad day. So many memories.

Mining memorial

"When I started in 1937 there were more than 2,000 people here and now look at it."

UK Coal's chief executive Gordon McPhie said:"We never questioned or doubted the commitment or skills of our employees at the Prince of Wales.

"Our one big regret is that circumstances, despite our best endeavours, have prevented us from employing more of the Prince men at our other collieries where we have the opportunity to increase output and improve efficiency."

The firm said discussions were under way for a suitable mining memorial at the site.