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, running through the old Charing Cross Hospital, in London, where 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 on behalf of Dr Little, of Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

"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.

"I feel a little bitter because it's something that could have been avoided.

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

Mrs Little, who worked as a health visitor in Catterick, fought bravely against the cancer, despite knowing her condition was likely to be terminal.

"She loved life and would not give up. She went for surgery, tried gene therapy, chemotherapy and even thalidomide," said Dr Little.

Solicitors Irwin Mitchell will be asking for damages in the region of £150,000, if the claim is successful.

If he wins, the doctor intends to give a large amount of the compensation to a cancer charity.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said it could not comment on specific cases once legal action had started.