A FAMILY from Swindon has received thousands of pounds from British Rail following the death of a former employee who spent more than 40 years working for the company.

Valentine Thomas died in 2011, aged 88, having contracted mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, which was only discovered after his death.

It is believed he suffered from the disease after long-term exposure to asbestos at British Rail.

One of the jobs which carried the most risk of asbestos exposure was carriage fitting, which Valentine did on a number of occasions.

In the final years of his life, Valentine, of Avonmead, had to be nursed by his children and earlier this month they were given £96,000 in compensation to cover the costs they incurred.

As well as the mesothelioma, Valentine suffered from deafness from his time in the rail works.

He started working for the railways in 1947 and held a number of different roles until his retirement in 1986.

The family was represented by Brigitte Chandler, a leading industrial disease lawyer based in Old Town.

She said: “Mr Thomas was asked to strip locomotive boilers covered in asbestos. The workmen were expected to strip them out and were given no protection.

“Mr Thomas’ family were able to bring a claim as the Department Of Transport is covering claims for people who worked at British Rail in the past.

“However, even when employers cannot be traced or no insurance can be found, insurers have set up a scheme which means people can apply for compensation but only if they have been diagnosed after 1 July 2012.”

Valentine's family are the latest to win compensation for of illnesses picked up as a result of working at the former rail works.

Mesothelioma is so prevalent in this region it has been dubbed the Swindon disease.

In the last 30 years, Brigette has helped hundreds of former workers get payment but it is expected there are many more.

“Even though the Swindon works closed in 1986, former workers are still developing symptoms of asbestos exposure now,” she said.

“Anybody who has worked in an environment where asbestos is present, no matter how long ago, and who is experiencing breathing problems should seek a medical opinion.”

Help is available at the Swindon and South West Asbestos Group, a regional charity which provides support groups and a free advice service to people suffering from asbestos disease and their families. Call 01793 532995 or visit www.asbestosgroup.co.uk