Yorkshire coal miners have always been a prominent group of industrial workers, especially during times of adversity. The men, their wives and families have to deal with the real prospect of everyday accidents as well as the fear of major disasters. Working in confined and often dreadful conditions underground has, in part, been counterbalanced by the humour and camaraderie that prevails.

The pits have now just about gone. The rapid run-down of the modern British coal mining industry followed the bitter strike of 1984-5 and by 2004 lust a handful of deep mines were still operating in the old county of Yorkshire.

Sutton publishing ISBN 0-7509-2999-5

Price £11.99

Brian Elliott has been allowed access to private collections and the NUM archives to bring together this excellent collection of over 250 photographs. Largely dating from the twentieth century, many are previously unpublished. This book provides a fascinating glimpse of Yorkshire's mining heritage and in particular the men, their families and the communities in which they lived.

Signed copies of this splendid book can be obtained from the author.