SOUTH Gloucestershire's mining history and legacy will be brought to life with talks, walks and underground visits this weekend.

The South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group (SGMRG), Friends of Ram Hill Colliery and Hades Caving Club are hosting the National Association of Mining History Organisation annual conference this weekend.

From tomorrow,at the Miners Institure, Coalpit Heath, there will be talks from experts including TV Archaeologist Mark Horton.

The conference will show the variety of mineral resources the Bristol area was rich in, from coal mining, stone quarrying, lead mining in the Mendips and copper ores in the Quantock hills.

Steve Grudgings, SGMRG chairman, said: "The weekend talks programme will cover many aspects of local mining history including coal, which in the 19th and early 20th century was extensively worked around Bristol and was a significant employer. Surface walks will show delegates the many mining structures that remain and the work of the host organisations in their preservation, conservation and interpretation of those remains."

The Conference is part of the growing process that recognises the importance of the area's mining legacy. Members of the public may attend the talks programme which costs £5 for half a day. For more information visit http://namho conference.org.uk/.