A PENSIONER from Horwich has won "substantial damages" from British Rail after developing a deadly tumour caused by asbestos at work. Former prisoner of war Jim Smith, aged 80, who worked on the notorious Burma death railway, was struck down with an incurable lung tumour after retiring from Horwich locomotive works in 1980. Jim's family now believes there may be dozens of others in the Horwich area who are also entitled to settlements worth "hundreds of thousands of pounds".

Widower Jim had worked for 30 years in the castings section at the now-closed loco works off Chorley New Road in a "hell like" atmosphere of fumes and dust, including killer asbestos dust.

But when he tried to take High Court action against British Railways Board, his former employers at first denied he had even worked for them.

It was not until he had got former workmates to testify for him that the company admitted he had worked at the famous loco works.

Jim also put forward documentary evidence, including a certificate to commemorate his 30 years service, and pointed out he was actually receiving a railway pension.

Jim said: "I was disgusted by their attitude. How could they say I didn't work for them? "Fortunately I have had my family, especially my son and daughter-in-law, to help me, otherwise I don't know what I would have done."

Jim developed severe chest pains and breathlessness early in 1996.

Later the same year he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a malignant tumour of the membrane which lines the chest cavity.

The great-grandfather-of-three has bravely battled against his illness but increasing disability has meant he rarely leaves the house and is constantly short of breath, even after the simplest of tasks.

Jim can't even walk the few feet to the phone because when he picks it up he is too breathless to speak.

And when the former soldier -- who still has a bullet lodged in his right leg -- attended VJ day celebrations this year, he had to spend a fortnight in bed recovering. He has difficulty speaking and has to take daily doses of painkilling drugs and steroids, as well as having to go to hospital to have his chest drained of fluid.

Jim said: "When I was diagnosed, I didn't think I would have lasted till now.

"I was told by the doctor, 'Sorry, it's bad news. All I can do is make things more comfortable for you, we can't cure you.' It doesn't sink in straight away."

He added: "Even though I have been given a substantial sum, it cannot replace my health."

His son, also called Jim, aged 58, said the area where Jim worked was surrounded by old pipes lagged with white asbestos.

The pensioner was also exposed to even more dangerous blue asbestos from old locomotive engines being taken apart near where he worked.

Son Jim, who also used to work in the loco works, said: "Everywhere in the building there was a chance of coming into contact with asbestos. But the illness takes years to develop. "There are a lot of people who will fall victim to this. It's a time bomb ticking."

John Whelan, of Thompsons solicitors, who fought the case, praised the former workmates of Jim who had come forward to verify his work record.

He said: "Jim is fortunate to live in a community where people are still prepared to help one another.

"A number of his ex-colleagues came forward to give statements confirming they had worked with him.

"Jim is grateful to those who rallied to his aid in fighting his claim."

The company has successfully pursued previous asbestos related claims for former employees of British Railways Horwich Works.

It has secured more than £24 million compensation for asbestos victims in the last three years.

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