A DOCTOR is fighting a legal battle to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos after his wife died from exposure to the substance.

Julian Little's wife Becky died aged 53 in February 2002, two years after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Experts say the form of lung cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos.

Before her death, Mrs Little told how she would sweep up the crumbling lining of water pipes, believed to be asbestos, at the old Charing Cross Hospital, London, were she worked as a nurse between 1968 and 1970.

A writ has now been issued at the High Court against the Department of Health by solicitors acting for Dr Little, of Cunningham Road, Catterick Garrison.

"My wife started the legal action before she died," said Dr Little, 59, an anaesthetist working for the Army at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

"Being a doctor it's a difficult thing to do, but the reason I'm carrying it on is not monetary.

"Becky wanted the problem of asbestos brought to the forefront - she wanted something done about it."

The writ accuses the Department of Health, as Mrs Little's employer, of negligence and breach of statutory duty.

"Reports on the dangers of asbestos were made in 1896. The Department of Health, of all people, certainly should have known of the risks in the late 1960s," said Dr Little.

"It's such a waste of a life. We were planing our retirement together and now I'm approaching it without a spouse."

Mrs Little, a mother-of-four sons and a local health visitor, fought the cancer, despite knowing her condition was likely to be terminal.

"She loved life and wouldn't give up. She went for surgery, tried gene therapy, chemotherapy and even thalidomide," he said.

Solicitors Irwin Mitchell will be asking for about £150,000 damages if the claim is successful and if he wins, Dr Little intends to give a large portion of the compensation to a cancer charity.