It was the end of an era. The days when these miners clocked off for the last time at the pits where they had worked for years.
From Wearmouth to Vane Tempest, the Echo has archive photos of the final shift at collieries in Sunderland and East Durham.
Some of the workers would move on to other pits. Others had said goodbye to the mining industry for the last time.
Re-live those moments once more.
5. One last photo
Some of the sixteen miners who entered the cage at Boldon Colliery for the last time in June 1982. | se
6. Saying goodbye to South Hetton
Miners finishing their last shift at South Hetton colliery in March 1983. | se
7. There until the end
Derek Young, Ray Moreton and Bill Mason - the last of the miners at Herrington pit in March 1986. | se
8. Last day for Dawdon
Forty miners were hauled 1,000 ft to the surface of Dawdon Colliery at the stroke of midday on July 25, 1991 - bringing to an end 84 years of mining history. | se