THE widow of a man who died from asbestos exposure is celebrating news she will receive a full compensation claim before Christmas.

Heartbroken Betty Cater, 63, lost her husband, Ron, in 2004 and last night became one of the first in the country to be awarded cash under the new Compensation Act.

Mrs Cater, who received just £20,000 of a £140,000 claim, told The Northern Echo: "I'm over the moon.

"This is what should have happened in the first place, but at least justice has been done and Ron will be happy knowing his wife will be looked after."

Mrs Cater, of Thornaby, near Stockton, who was forced to go back to work as a full-time carer, lost her husband to mesothelioma after he worked as an industrial chemical cleaner at docks in Wales.

He died in June 2004, aged 67, while fighting to claim the money from his former employers, Kinnis and Brown (Chemical Services) and Loriston Services.

He had hoped the compensation would pay off his mortgage and support his wife following his death.

But a House of Lords decision in May changed the rules for payouts when one of the employers could not be found.

In the past, victims could claim full compensation from the remaining employer, but the new rule meant they would now only get a percentage.

But an amendment to the Compensation Act, instigated by the Government following an outcry, saw Mrs Cater's case before the Royal Courts of Justice, in London, yesterday.

Andrew Venn, of Thompsons Solicitors, in Newcastle, said last night: "This is an excellent result. The House of Lords decision devastated hundreds of asbestos victims around the country, but this is the result which Mrs Cater wanted."

Speaking at her home last night, Mrs Cater added: "I thought Ron would be devastated to know that £20,000 was all his life was worth.

"I'm extremely grateful for all the hard work Thompsons have done for me."

A judge sitting in London ordered that £103,000 must be paid to Mrs Cater before December 22 and the decision was not contested by the defendant