A newspaper’s support for former miners suffering lung disease because of their work has brought in almost 21,000 signatures from readers.

They want the Government to do more to speed up the compensation claims before the miners die from the illness – or from old age.

The South Wale Evening Argus is calling for a standard £10,000 interim payment for all sufferers of coal dust-related lung disease while their cases are dealt with.

It took the paper just two weeks from September 7 to collect the first 10,000 names and only another six weeks for the total to hit 20,000. Supporters include Sir Anthony Hopkins, Max Boyce, Gareth Edwards and a host of former rugby stars.

Everyone who signed agrees the Government should make the five-figure payments now, to both ex-miners and their widows, without further time-wasting tests and legal arguments – in a bid to ease their suffering.

The paper claims the payments could be made within weeks.

Leading local lawyer Peter Evans told the Argus the scheme could be up and running within three weeks if the Government co-operated.

Billionaire businessman Terry Matthews is supporting the campaign. He wrote to Prime Minister Tony Blair telling him: “It is scandalous that former miners are dying awaiting their payouts while a disproportionate amount appears to be paid out in legal fees.”

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