A roadshow for former miners who worked in the Frog Lane pit in Coalpit Heath is being held this weekend.

It will be the last of two events organised ahead of the 60th anniversary of the pit's closure.

Organisers of the first get-together said it had generated some fascinating details and photographs thanks to the former miners and the families of pit workers who took part.

It is hoped the second roadshow will bring in even more material, which will be used when the anniversary is celebrated next year.

Frog Lane 1949-2009 is being billed as a major event that will include a book being produced, the staging of an exhibition and a programme of mining events and activities.

South Gloucestershire Miners Research Group is working with Yate and District Heritage Centre and local community and history groups on the project. They said the colliery was the last major mining concern in the Yate and Coalpit Heath area and anyone who worked there was invited to get involved so they could provide first-hand details of what it was like to work in the pit.

Anyone else with memories of the mine operating is also welcome to go along to the Miner's Institute, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath on Saturday from noon to 5pm.

Coal mining in South Gloucestershire dates back to the 13th century, with shallow pits rather than deep mines being worked up to the 17th century as part of extensive coal seams which stretched from Cromhall, near Thornbury, to Radstock and under Bristol.

Deeper shafts were dug as technology advanced and by the 1840s the Coalpit Heath area had eight pits.

Frog Lane was sunk in 1853, where mining was concentrated by the end of the 19th century, but it closed when the main seams were worked out.

Frank Thornell, 75, still lives in Coalpit Heath, where he started his mining career.

He said: "We worked with picks about 200ft down on a 4ft coalface, using wooden props to hold the roof up."

Mr Thornell worked at Frog Lane until it closed and then switched to pits in Somerset. He is now busy writing his memoirs.

Yate councillor Chris Willmore said: "The first roadshow last month unearthed some fantastic oral history from people involved with the mine and an unique photo archive.

"We hope we can do even better on Saturday."