Awareness day for asbestos victims

Union highlights mesothelioma

An awareness day focusing on the plight of victims of an asbestos related cancer is being marked in the Island on Friday. 

Action Mesothelioma Day is being championed by Unite.

It's after the union recently won landmark compensation for a former brewery worker, exposed to asbestos more than 40 years ago.

The case was pursued after the member's death in 2014, on behalf of his family.

Unite is campaigning for better recognition of the disease, and support and compensation for sufferers.

Mesothelioma has claimed five deaths in the Island and there are 22 known sufferers - but it's feared many more cases will come to light.

Unite's regional officer Eric Holmes: