Government lawyers are investigating a website that advises miners how to make claims for compensation.

The site, which tells miners how to "beat the tests" for industrial disease vibration white finger, is also being investigated by the police, according to The Guardian.

The paper said Whitehall officials discovered the site on Tuesday and suggested it may be relatively new.

Vibration white finger is caused by long term use of pneumatic tools. It affects blood vessels in the extremities such as fingers and toes.

Compensation claims for the disease have so far cost the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) £206 million. They have settled just over 19,000 cases and made interim payments in a further 21,000.

If all the claims made were to be paid in full, it could cost the government up to £800 million - almost as much as the Dome.

The DTI said the investigation was needed to ensure that genuine claims were not jeopardised, and that doctors at testing centres were now aware of the site's existence. ®