Diggers for UK Coal have come within feet of the protesters’ campsite as they continue to mine more than 900,000 tonnes of coal from a Shropshire beauty spot.

Workers for the mining company have started to remove top soil just outside the campsite boundary as the diggers get ever closer to the campaigners’ campsite in Huntington Lane, which was set up more than a year ago.

The campsite was set up at the site in New Works in a bid to fight against the plans, despite being granted full planning permission.

The protesters have built huts, tree houses, a kitchen and other living quarters and they have lived at the site throughout the winter.

Tunnels have also been dug around the site in a further attempt to stop the diggers driving onto the land.

One of the protesters, who did not want to be named, said: “We object because it’s so close to The Wrekin and people’s homes.

“They have cut down trees which they said were about 20 years old, but they’re about 150 years old.

“We will not be going anywhere and we will stay here as long as it takes.”

Gordon Grant, spokesman for UK Coal, said there was no change in the company’s plan for the site.

The campsite protest began in March 2010 after UK Coal appealed when Telford & Wrekin Council failed to come to a decision over its application.

But a public inquiry was held in 2009 and planning inspector Andrew Mead recommended the appeal be allowed, which paved the way for former Secretary of State John Denham to grant permission.

The coal company has also been in the headlines after deciding to sell off some of its properties in a bid to raise revenue.

UK Coal tenants Lynn and Stanley Cain had vowed to stay put in the house until they were able to find a suitable new home as they were having to cope with the death of their daughter-in-law.

The tragedy has left the Cains having to help their son by looking after their two young grandchildren, who are aged five and nine.

But earlier this month mining bosses said they sympathised with the Cains’ plight and tyhat the couple  could stay in their home until next year.