A new support group is being set up to help asbestos victims in Bradford cope with their plight and fight for compensation.

It will be launched tomorrow at the first public meeting of the Workers' Health Advice Team (WHAT), a new city-wide project funded by Bradford Council to give free advice on all aspects of health and safety at work.

Latest figures estimate that 10,000 Britons will die of asbestos-related illnesses each year in the 21st century. But WHAT project officer Mike Quiggin said that Bradford residents were more at risk.

"It's reasonable to assume that Bradford is more affected because of its history as an industrial city," he said.

"We're looking at about 100 asbestos-related diseases a year but the terrible thing is that the trend is upwards. There's about a 30 year delay in the effects and asbestos was used in lots of buildings in the 1970s. It's a crime it wasn't banned earlier."

Asbestos is composed of fibres which when inhaled, can settle deep in the lungs. Although banned throughout Europe last year, related diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma (tumours) and asbestosis (lung disease) can strike up to 40 years after exposure.

Chairman of this week's meeting, Labour MP for Bradford North Terry Rooney, said it was important to help people come to terms with the effects.

"Nationally, there are about 3,000 cases a year of mesothelioma from asbestos and most people in that situation think they're the only one.

"The new service can assist with compensation and what they're entitled to, and can put them in touch with other people in Bradford who are suffering."

WHAT was developed by Bradford Occupational Health last May from an advice service at a doctor's surgery in Undercliffe. The Bradford Asbestos Victims Support Group will be launched next tomorrow at 2pm at the UNISON offices, 47 Godwin Street, Bradford. Environmental specialist and author Alan Dalton will be guest speaker. For further information, contact the team, on (01274) 393949.

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