An open air service was held on Wednesday evening to mark the 125th anniversary of the Whitwick Colliery disaster which claimed the lives of 35 miners in an underground fire.

The service was attended by residents and local councillors who paid their respects at the Whitwick Park Hall.

Whitwick Parish Council chair, Susan Colledge, read an emotional and detailed account of what happened on April 19, 1898 - you can see a video clip of that below.

Peter Smith, on behalf of the Leicestershire Coal Industry Welfare Trust Fund also gave a speech, while the service was accompanied with music from the Desford Colliery Band.

The Rev Darren Walker then gave a dedication at the Memorial Wall, which has been newly painted with an impressive mural designed by local spraypaint artist Buber Nebz who finished it in the week leading up to the service.

Cllr Colledge told Coalville Nub News: "It's important that the history and heritage is remembered.

The open air service in Whitwick was attended by residents and local councilors.

"Especially this year, with it being such a significant anniversary.

"We wanted to do something to commemorate it - and we've also wanted a Memorial Garden for quite a while.

"So we managed to tie the two together and also get the Memorial Wall finished.

Wreaths were laid in the Memoral Garden by Whitwick councillors Ray Woodward, Peter Moult and Tony Barker

"We have plans for the garden going forwards. But here, we wanted to dedicate the wall and remember the men and boys who were lost.

"But also to re-inforce the history and mining heritage of this area. Without coal, there'd be no Coalville.

"I don't think people realise how many people have been lost over the centuries.

"When the shaft was first sunk, two men died. Overall, we talking hundreds and hundreds of the lives, which the wealth of the area was built on.

"Many were before records were kept, and there were long-term disabilities, it was a long, hard job and people paid for it with their lives."

It is planned to acknowledge the event in future, but this service was to mark the significant anniversary.

Cllr Colledge added: "It was a nice turnout for the service and good that so many came along."