The Whitwick Colliery Disaster Memorial Project is creating a new memorial, located over the workings in Hugglescote where the men died - and where 12 are still entombed.

Now Projects wants to invite all descendants of the men who were killed - and the rescuers involved with finding their bodies - to the unveiling of the memorial in April.

On April 19 1898, the Leicestershire coalfield experienced its first, and thankfully, only mining disaster when 35 miners at Whitwick Colliery were killed due to an underground fire.

The memorial will be located at David Wilson Homes' Grange View development off Grange Road in Hugglescote.

And a project team comprising of David Wilson Homes, Hugglescote and Donington-le-Heath Parish Council, Whitwick Parish Council, Leicestershire Coal Industry Welfare Trust Fund, Coalville Heritage Society, Whitwick Historical Group and Snibston Heritage Trust are working together to create the memorial to the disaster and the memory of the men who were killed.

It has been constructed by David Wilson Homes and features a headstock pulley wheel from Whitwick Colliery, donated to the project by Leicestershire County Council Museums Service.

John Reddington, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said: "It's been a privilege to be involved in the opportunity to honour those who lost their lives in the Whitwick Colliery Disaster as it's such a renowned part of Leicestershire's history.

"Our partners have worked very hard to make this memorial possible and we're thoroughly looking forward to the unveiling ceremony at Grange View".

Russell Johnson, Chairman of the Hugglescote and Donnington le Heath Parish Council said: "When David Wilson Homes and Barratt Homes applied for permission to build their estate of 360 homes they suggested a piece of public art should be included.

"As Ward Councillor, I suggested, as their new estate was over the place where 12 miners were still entombed, that the disaster should be considered.

"On behalf of the Parish Council and myself we are very grateful to David Wilson Homes and the Whitwick Colliery Disaster Memorial Project team who have made this a reality; and to commemorate the new memorial, we would like to include as many of the descendants as possible and hope that they get in touch with us".

The unveiling of the memorial will be on Sunday, April 24, at 2pm on Percival Way at Grange View, Hugglescote and everyone is welcome.

The project team, however, would like to formally invite descendants of the men killed or a member of the rescue team as a mark of respect to their ancestors.

For your family invitation, please contact Stuart Warburton, Chairman of the Whitwick Colliery Disaster Memorial Project, at [email protected] or telephone 01530 833521 with your ancestor's name, your name and your contact details, either a telephone number or email.