FAMILIES of North-East workers suffering from an asbestos-related condition may now qualify for compensation from a Government scheme.

Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, announced last night that he was extending the scheme to sufferers of mesothelioma cancer.

The move is a response to the "Fairchild judgement" last December when the Appeal Court ruled that workers exposed to asbestos dust by more than one employer could not claim damages, unless they could prove which one was responsible.

The ruling was a blow to victims and their families seeking compensation. About 50 North-East mesothelioma claims are being handled by Thompsons solicitors in Newcastle. Unions and those affected by the ruling are now preparing a case to take to the House of Lords.

Mr Byers said last night that as an interim measure the Pneumoconiosis (Workers' Compensation) Scheme would be used to make one-off payments of up to £58,718 to sufferers who are affected by the Appeal Court ruling.

Mr Byers said discussions were taking place to see if further action could be taken in the longer term.

Gillian Edwards, of Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, lost her husband, Brian, to the condition in January 1999, and was left without a settlement after the judgement.

She said: "It's about time that somebody acknowledged that families have been left in dire straits, and this is a step in the right direction. But we must not lose sight of who's responsible.

"It's not about money in the bank, it's for people to recognise these men have suffered. I not only lost my husband, I lost my best friend and my son lost his dad."

Paul Nowak, TUC northern regional secretary, said: "While it's a good interim measure, we think there's a need for the House of Lords to act to make sure that rather than taxpayers picking up the bill, it's the people responsible for letting this out into the atmosphere."