DOZENS gathered yesterday to pay their respects to the 361 people who died on the anniversary of England’s worst mining disaster.

Local Lay Minister Fred Thompson, of the Central Benefice of Barnsley, led the ceremony at the memorial on Church Street at 1pm.

The Oaks Colliery explosion, at Hoyle Mill, took place at 1.15pm on December 12, 1866.

A series of explosions caused by firedamp ripped through the underground workings at the Oaks Colliery, killing 361 miners and rescuers.

It was the worst mining disaster in the whole of the UK until 1913, and remains the worst in England’s history.

A number of people paid their respects in an emotional service which saw flowers and a wreath laid at the memorial.

Fred said: “My dad was a miner in Grimethorpe, Dodworth, Redbrook - all over the place so I’m thinking about him at this time.

“December 12, 1866 saw this country’s worst ever pit disaster.

“It’s also the worst peacetime disaster this country has ever had.

“Nearly 400 men and boys were working in the pit that day, and many of those lost their lives.

“That was not the end of the tragedy for a second explosion on the morning of December 13 would claim the lives of those brave souls that entered the mines as rescuers.

“It is a privilege for me to conduct this service as I did last year.”