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Tyneside established itself as an important coal mining and exporting region as early as the 14th century. Like other heavy industries, mining flourished in the region during the 19th century but declined in the latter part of the 20th. In 1911, more than 50,000 miners were employed in the Northumberland coalfield. The last deep coal mine in the North East, at Ellington in Northumberland, closed down in 2005.

Image: RCE North East (CC BY)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rcenortheast/5402654900

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