HUNDREDS of sufferers from an asbestos-related condition have to wait another three weeks to learn if they are still eligible for compensation.

Contamination from asbestos dust has been found to lead to an initial condition known as pleural plaques.

Pleural plaques are areas of benign thick scar tissue, which form in the chest lining and diaphragm and can, over time, lead to serious respiratory problems and, on occasions, to terminal cancer.

Up until now, if the asbestos contamination was related to employer's negligence, sufferers have been able to claim compensation from insurers.

But at the Court of Appeal in London, in a cross appeal lasting a week, insurers have been urging that compensation be paid only to those who have additional medical problems to pleural plaques.

Claimants are being represented by Newcastle law firm of Irwin Mitchell, where partner and legal expert on industrial diseases Roger Maddocks said: "The availability of compensation in respect of this condition is a basic human right."

He said there was usually a gap of more than 20 years between exposure to asbestos and the formation of pleural plaques.

"People diagnosed with pleural plaques have to live with the fear they could develop a terminal cancer, such as mesothelioma."

And yesterday as the appeal court judges retired to work on their judgement, Mr Maddocks said: "We hope the Court of Appeal will confirm that people who have pleural plaques as a result of being negligently exposed to asbestos will continue to be entitled to compensation."

He said there were potentially thousands of people who could develop the condition, particularly in the North-East, where many were exposed to the deadly dust while working in heavy industries, such as shipbuilding.

A spokeswoman for Norwich Union, one of the company's cross appealing said her firm was simply seeking clarity from the court over whether compensation should be paid if there were no additional problems.