A PINEHURST man has reached a settlement with his former employers after being exposed to asbestos.

William White, 72, a former employee of Plessey, based at Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, settled the claim at £70,000.

His solicitor, Brigitte Chandler, a partner at Charles Lucas and Marshall and one of the country's leading industrial disease lawyers, said she believes other former employees may also have been affected by asbestos at Cheney Manor.

"Mr White was continuously exposed to asbestos after joining Plessey in 1972," she said.

"The company had buildings made of asbestos sheets and the sides and roofs of all four buildings contained asbestos.

"The fork-lift truck drivers regularly used to hit the walls of the building and Mr White had to repair them. This meant he had to saw the asbestos sheets and drill into them.

“The company also had large boilers lagged with asbestos where Mr White had to work and eat his lunch."

Brigitte said that anyone concerned about their health should seek medical advice and then consult an experienced industrial disease lawyer if asbestos disease is diagnosed. She said: “Mr White is currently suffering from breathlessness and disablement and is aware his health may deteriorate.

“Other people will have been exposed to asbestos on the site. Asbestos disease can take up to 60 years to develop and we are seeing a considerable increase in claims because so many buildings in the 50s, 60s and 70s contained this deathly material.”