A SELF-HELP group is being launched in York for victims of the city's asbestos timebomb and their families.

The group is intended to provide an opportunity for people devastated by the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma to get together and share their experiences.

It is being set up by the York Asbestos Support Group, which was launched just over a year ago to provide practical help for people affected by asbestos and to campaign for better treatment by the authorities.

Kim Daniells, a York solicitor who founded the support group, said over the past 14 months, a clear need for a self-help group had also been identified.

"The majority of requests came from families of those who had suffered and died as a result of this condition," she said.

"At the two Asbestos Support Group public meetings, a number of York residents spoke movingly of the devastation caused by mesothelioma to their loved ones and the wider community.

"They spoke of the practical difficulties of caring for sufferers; the isolation experienced by carers; the difficulties in accessing treatment and the fear they felt as the condition progressed. It was apparent that those who spoke gained comfort and support from those with similar experiences.

"In many cases, mesothelioma strikes swiftly and leaves the families and carers of those diagnosed with little opportunity to seek companionship from others with a real understanding of the effects of the condition."

She said many of the families of people lost to mesothelioma in the last few years in York had said they would be interested in attending a self help group meeting.

"The meetings are not intended to be formal, but will provide an opportunity for those affected to get together, share experiences and gain from the emotional support available from others who have a personal experience of the effects of the condition.

"In an ideal world, there would be no more cases of mesothelioma and the self help group would not be needed. However, we face the reality that deaths from mesothelioma have not yet peaked.

"It is therefore crucial that we have this resource available to those coming to terms with the diagnosis today, and those who will no doubt be diagnosed in the future."

A preliminary meeting will take place between 4pm and 6pm on Tuesday, May 8, in the library at the Friends Meeting House in Friargate.

"It is open to all those personally affected by mesothelioma, including sufferers, family members and carers," said Kim.

* Anyone interested in attending the meeting should phone Kim on 07787 120317 or simply turn up on the day.