Kellingley colliery closure: 'shabby end' for a once-mighty industry

The last deep coal mine in Britain closes today, drawing to an end a series of closures in an industry once known as King Coal

When the last shift of underground miners emerges at Kellingley colliery in North Yorkshire on Friday, it will bring down the final curtain on one of Britain's most successful and enduring industries.

Coal has been dug out of the ground since pre-Roman times. It fuelled the Industrial Revolution and was still providing 40% of power for electricity generation as little as three years ago.