FORMER railway workers may have been exposed to asbestos while working at a North-East station, a legal firm claims.

The firm of solicitors represents a Darlington woman suffering from asbestosis, which it believes may have been caused as a result of working at the town's Bank Top station, in the 1960s.

Jez Brooke, who works for AMS Law, of Sheffield, says there is also the possibility that other station workers may be suffering from asbestos-related diseases.

Joyce Czuffer, 63, of Longfield Road, Darlington, was diagnosed with the disease in her left lung in June 1998. She believes her only exposure to asbestos could have been during her time as a railway carriage cleaner at Bank Top station, between 1961 and 1964.

"It could have been in the depots where they were fixing the trains, but I was only in my twenties then and didn't know much about it," she said.

"The asbestos was found about two-and-a-half years ago when I had a chest x-ray.

"Other people who worked there should get checked and make sure there is nothing on their lungs."

Mr Brooke said there have been cases around the country where the British Railways Board has paid compensation to railway workers exposed to asbestos.

"The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases often don't become apparent until 30 years after the exposure, and tracing insurance companies and witnesses can become difficult," he said.

"We would like to hear from anyone who worked at the station, or at a nearby depot off Haughton Road, as they may be able to help us with information about any asbestos exposure."

Mr Brooke can be contacted by telephoning (0114) 275 2888