Poignant tribute to victims and memory of the Aberfan disaster

A CLOCK frozen at the exact moment a school was buried beneath coal waste has inspired a poignant tribute to mark the 60th anniversary of one of Britain's worst disasters.

- ANTHONY LEWIS Local democracy reporter [e-mail]

Welsh jewellery-maker Clogau has created a special Aberfan commemorative badge to honour the tragedy in which 144 people lost their lives in the village of Aberfan in October, 1966.

The disaster happened when a massive coal spoil tip collapsed and engulfed Pantglas Junior School, killing 116 children and 28 adults at 9.13am.

The badge features an image of a traditional village family clock with its hands fixed at 9.13am - the moment the coal waste struck the school.

The clock itself was recovered from the debris by rescuer Mike Flynn and has since become one of the most iconic symbols of the Aberfan disaster.