Colliery reopens as museum

Bersham closed in the 1980s, with the loss of 480 jobs

A north Wales colliery which closed 14 years ago is reopening to the public this weekend with the aim of becoming a permanent tourist attraction.

Bersham Colliery in Rhostyllen, Wrexham, was a working pit for more than 100 years.

The pit - in its heyday one of the most important in the north Wales coalfield - has been closed since early 1987.

A test well would be sunk into the mine

The mine itself has been sealed off but, unlike many other Welsh collieries, the pit head remains on site, along with the engine house and many of the tools.

The Bersham Colliery Trust - made up of many former miners and mining enthusiasts - has been preparing numerous artefacts for display.

This open weekend is only a trial but, if successful, the trust hopes to set it up as a permanent museum.

Several uses have been suggested for the mine in recent years.

Last summer, there was a bid to use it for power generation once again - this time by extracting methane gas.

Up to 480 men lost their jobs when it closed 14 years ago.