Graham Morgan, chairman of Cinderford Regeneration Board, said some of the buildings left in the former coal mining area had "not been touched" since the mid-1960s.

BBC: Cinderford, Forest of Dean

Wayne Thomas said the rise in the price of coal and the quality of the anthracite in the local area had seen mining become more profitable in recent years and led to a "resurgence of interest".

BBC: Gleision Colliery near Cilybebyll: Brief history