'My 40-year mining collection should be in museum'

Roger Monks started life as a coal miner straight from school aged 15

A former coal miner is looking for a public space to take his private collection of mining memorabilia.

Roger Monks, 86, started work at Allerton Bywater Colliery in Castleford aged 15 and retired to Bridlington in East Yorkshire 30 years ago.

Alongside his collection of artefacts gathered during a 40-year career, Mr Monks has created displays to tell the story of life in a coal mine and now wants others to enjoy it as much as he does.

He said: "I'm not a hoarder, I'm a collector. I'd like as many people as possible to see the collection I've got. After all, coal mining made Great Britain famous."

Roger Monks's collection includes more than 40 mining lamps

He added: "When we left school at 15 on the Friday, we had to start work in the mine on the Monday.

"It's about the wonderful stories of how we worked and how we played."

His collection takes over a room in his house that extends from books on the floor to plates filling shelves to the ceiling.

It includes several helmets, more than 40 lamps, first-aid kits, tin lunch boxes and pictures dating back to the start of his mining career in the 1950s.

Even after retirement, Mr Monks has continued to add to his collection.

"It's 40 years of love, hard work and enjoyment," he explained.

"It's the comradeship. My love of coal mining and remembering the men's names."

He has toured his collection around schools and exhibitions in West Yorkshire and would like to do the same in his local community.

The collection has taken over a room in his house and includes helmets, pictures and lamps among other items

However, he has yet to find the right space in East Yorkshire to showcase his much-loved haul.

"The things I've got, I like sharing" Mr Monks added.

"When people see it, they can't believe I've got as much as I have.

"It's surprising how many children and grown-ups have never touched a piece of coal because this coal made England great."

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.