The widow of a painter and decorator at Terry's chocolate factory who was killed by asbestos has won damages.

Derek Morrell, who worked for the York confectioners from 1956 until 1988, died three years ago of mesothelioma - an asbestos-related disease - at the age of 62.

York solicitors Pattinson & Brewer subsequently lodged a claim for compensation on behalf of his widow Maureen.

They claimed that Mr Morrell was exposed to asbestos at Terry's when he was involved in scraping asbestos lagging, and that the firm failed to protect him from the harmful effects.

Terry's said in 1997 that it was "very surprised" by the action. The case had been due to go to trial at York County Court last month before an undisclosed sum was paid into court by two former owners of Terry's, United Biscuits and Forte, said solicitor Kevin Hughes, of Pattinson & Brewer.

He said the sum paid into court, recently accepted by Mrs Morrell, was similar to the amount which had been claimed in compensation for pain and suffering, losses and expenses, and loss of income by dependants.

"Mrs Morrell is glad that she has received the full amount of compensation that we claimed on her behalf, without having to go through the ordeal of attending a hearing before a judge," he added.

He stressed that the mesothelioma - which he understood was the first such case involving a Terry's employee - related to working conditions at the factory many years ago, and the damages award in no way suggested that there was any risk today at the factory.

A spokeswoman for Kraft Jacob Suchard, current owners of Terry's, said it had referred the matter back to Terry's former owners, United Biscuits.

Solicitors for UB and Forte were unavailable for comment today.

Mr Hughes stressed that most people exposed to asbestos never went on to suffer any ill effects.

He said a seminar organised by Pattinson & Brewer at St William's College on Saturday, February 19, would give out more information about the social and legal implications for people who had been exposed to asbestos dust.

But it would also seek to reassure such people that they were at low risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

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