By Thomas Fair

January 9, 2022 - Strikers crash against massed ranks of police at Daw Mill Colliery, which was near Arley in Warwickshire, in 1984.

One of the most bitter industrial disputes in British history was the miners' strikes of 1984-85, characterised by violent clashes between pickets and law enforcement.

Daylight clashes at the entrance to Daw Mill, as one man is hauled off.

Coal mining was on the decline at this point and much of the easy-to-reach coal was used up.

Remaining coal became more and more expensive to reach - closing unprofitable mines and mechanising the rest was the best economic decision, but that left thousands of workers out of jobs and out their way of life.

Police form up with vans to block a road near the Colliery, facing down the picket.

When Margaret Thatcher's government accelerated these cuts and tried to squash the power of the unions, strike action began at coal pits up and down the country.

Pictures show how the story of strikes at Daw Mill Colliery in late March 1984. Strikers were joined by miners from other parts of the country who came to show their support - but were met with an immovable police force.

The real clash begins.