A WIDOW whose husband was exposed to asbestos in a Blackburn factory more than 50 years ago has won a £113,000 compensation payout.

Peter Dawson died in 1998, aged 68, after developing mesothelioma, a form of cancer brought on by the deadly material.

Solicitors acting for Mr Dawson's widow Ruth proved that he had been exposed to the material while working as an apprentice fitter at the Cherry Tree Machine Company Ltd between 1945 and 1949. He had also been exposed to it when he went on to work for Shell on Merseyside.

In the judgement at the High Court in Manchester, the judge awarded the damages split 80 per cent against Shell and 20 per cent against Cherry Tree.

Solicitor Judith Gledhill, of Manchester-based Thompsons, said Mrs Dawson, who now lives in Northwich, Cheshire, was delighted by the outcome.

"She just hopes that other people will be encouraged to bring action even if the exposure was 40 or 50 years ago."

The action, which began before Mr Dawson's death, was brought with the help of Mr Dawson's union, the MSF.

The Cherry Tree Machine Co Ltd, which had produced laundry machinery, was put into liquidation last year after bosses at the firm decided they could no longer continue manufacturing.

Insurers who covered the firm at the time of the exposure will have to pay the damages.

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