Environmentalists say a decision on whether to allow a new open cast coal mine in Northumberland could spell the end of the industry in the UK.

Campaigners are fighting to stop Banks Mining from removing three million tonnes of coal from a greenfield site at Druridge Bay on the North East coast.

The Government stepped in and ordered a public inquiry after the scheme was unanimously approved by Northumberland Council in July.

A final decision will be taken by ministers next year in what campaign group Friends of the Earth claims is a test of the Government's commitment to environmental issues.

The organisation's spokesman Guy Shrubsole told Sky News: "It's very welcome that for the first time ever the Government has called in a coal mine on climate change grounds.


"And this means there's going to be a public inquiry next year which could set up conditions for the end of coal in the UK."

He added: "It's certainly the case that the Government needs to get on with phasing out coal power stations as it's already committed to doing.

"We understand it's going to be launching a consultation on this soon but it's also the case that if you're going to stop burning the coal there's no need to dig it up as well."

Image: There are 13 working surface mines in Britain

Members of the Save Druridge Bay protest group claim the new mine would ruin the windswept coastline and destroy tourist trade.

Organiser Duncan Lawrence runs a cafe a few fields away from the site.

"We employ 18 local people full time and part time and customers have said that if this mine goes ahead they'll go to other parts of Northumberland and to other beaches," he said.

According the Coal Authority, there are 13 working surface mines in Britain.

But Friends of the Earth estimates that permission is in place to extract at least 28 million tonnes of coal from other sites.

Jeannie Kielty from Banks Mining told Sky News the industry has a place in Britain's energy market.

She argues that the Druridge Bay mine would reduce reliance on imported coal between now and 2025 when all UK coal fired power stations will have been shut down to meet climate change targets.

She said: "There is a market there for the coal in the medium term.

"We believe it makes much more sense to mine the coal and provide the investment and jobs in Northumberland and the North East than to send that money abroad."