Campaigners halt coal-mining work

Protesters have halted work at an opencast coal mine in Derbyshire.

A million tonnes of coal is due to be extracted from the mine at Smalley near Heanor, work which campaigners say will devastate 70 acres of green-belt land.

On Monday campaigners climbed on top of diggers and unveiled a banner in an attempt to stop mining going ahead.

Earlier this year, activists from campaign group Leave It In The Ground dug themselves into tunnels at the mine before being evicted.

UK Coal said a public inquiry had been held into the matter and that the mining work had been approved by the government.