LAWYERS representing former steelworkers with throat cancer say they will continue the fight for compensation, despite the leading campaigner pulling out.

Cancer sufferer Jack Atherton and wife Dot this week pulled out of the campaign to prove that Consett steelworks caused throat cancer among ex-workers because it was costing them too much money.

Despite this blow, lawyers representing former steelworkers and their families deny the campaign lies in ruins.

They revealed they had more than 70 potential clients from Consett on their books and will be contacting them individually to put together other test cases.

Liverpool-based solicitors Ross and Co. secured Legal Aid support, with contributions, for the Athertons and the anonymous widow of an ex-steelworker to bring a case of alleged negligence against Corus, which has taken over British Coal.

With the Athertons' withdrawal, Ross and Co. are approaching dozens of potential clients to help progress the case.

Philip Riccardi, partner in Ross and Co. said: "The case is certainly not at the point of collapse.

"We have yet to receive notification from the Athertons but if it is confirmed that they are pulling out we will be making an application on behalf of one or more of the other potential clients.

"We are sorry if financial pressures are such that they feel they can't go on. It is a set-back, but more in terms of morale than the way the case is progressing.

"We will be advising the Legal Aid Commission to reassess their financial status."

Mrs Atherton, 59, of The Grove, Consett, said they are withdrawing from the campaign because Legal Aid contributions have eaten all their savings.

She said: "My savings are gone - we simply can't afford it anymore. I'm still hoping that workers at other steelworks will pick up the campaign and I think it's great that other people in similar situations are going to be contacted.

"If anyone comes forward to be a test case I will support them all the way."

Ross and Co. have applied for legal aid to commission an expert scientist to carry out a detailed analysis of fresh data from Newcastle University that may prove a link between cancer of the larynx and steelworks.

If the new data establishes a link, a successful court case could open the floodgates for thousands of former steelworkers nationwide to claim compensation for industrial diseases.