Two regional newspapers are claiming victory after the Government pledged an extra £10m towards compensation for trawlermen who lost their jobs as a result of the Cod Wars.

Both the Hull Daily Mail and Aberdeen Press and Journal have been campaigning for compensation for the trawlermen.

In a major Government re-think, about 1,300 trawlermen across the UK who were previously denied compensation have been told they will be able to claim cash after all.

The men, who fished the Atlantic waters near Iceland, had been refused any payouts because they went on fishing trips after a cut-off point of 1979.

Under the strict rules governing payouts, claimants must have worked in the distant waters between 1974 and 1979 – but the 1979 rule has now been revoked.

Congratulating the Press and Journal on its campaign, Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt, said: “I thought it was a very effective campaign for local people and exactly what local newspapers should be doing.”