A PENSIONER who was left devastated by a deadly lung disease after years of working alongside asbestos has won his battle for justice.

Cyril Faulkner, of Woodland, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October 2008 as a result of more than ten years of exposure to asbestos.

The 86-year-old worked with the substance in his job as a plumber for Hawkins and Holmes Limited, where he maintained and repaired boilers and flue pipes.

He worked for the company between 1961 and 1973 and was never issued with safety equipment which would have protected him from inhaling asbestos dust.

Isobel Lovett, associate solicitor and industrial disease specialist at law firm Irwin Mitchell, worked with Mr Faulkner to help secure his undisclosed out-of-court settlement.

Ms Lovett said: “For more than ten years, Mr Faulkner was exposed to this potentially lethal substance and was never issued the protective equipment which would have prevented his development of such a painful and aggressive disease.

“During the time that he worked at Hawkins and Holmes, his employers would have been aware of the dangers that asbestos posed, but yet the company did nothing to help him.

“Although nothing can change what has happened to Mr Faulkner, this legal victory will now allow him to live in as much comfort as possible, considering his painful condition.”

Mr Faulkner said: “I was devastated when I found out that I had developed mesothelioma. For years, I loyally worked for this company and, all along, they would have known and understood that I was working with such a dangerous material, but yet did nothing to stop me from inhaling the asbestos dust.

“I’m relieved that Hawkins and Holmes has now been brought to justice for the blatant disregard which it has shown me and my colleagues who also would have been exposed to asbestos.”

Hawkins and Holmes ceased trading and went into liquidation after Mr Faulkner left, but it was restored to the companies’ register in February last year.

Mesothelioma is a fatal cancer of the lung lining which develops as a result of inhaling asbestos dust. It can take ten to 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos.

The legal team representing Hawkins and Holmes declined to comment on the case yesterday.