Sufferers of asbestos-related diseases in York were given new hope today with the announcement that an action group is to be set up in the city.

The British Rail carriageworks on Holgate Road has left a deadly legacy to its former workers, who until now have had nowhere to turn for help.

Seventy people are known to have died as a result of working at the factory, and there could potentially be thousands of ex-employees who are currently suffering due to contact with asbestos, or yet to fall ill.

Now a Glasgow-based charity is to establish a York branch after the Evening Press brought the scale of the tragedy in North Yorkshire to their attention.

The group will provide information and advice on medical and legal issues and benefits.

It will provide help and much-needed reassurance and counselling, and intervene and act on people's behalf.

Organisers hope to start a weekly clinic at a local hospital.

Clydeside Action on Asbestos has already helped more than 1,400 sufferers of mesothelioma and other related diseases in Scotland.

Speaking from her home in Larbert, near Falkirk, mesothelioma sufferer Caroline Low said the charity had helped her claim benefits she had at first been refused, and had helped initiate a civil court case against her former employers.

"I wasn't getting much help from anywhere else, but the group knew exactly where to go and who to speak to," said Mrs Low, who is 48.

"And they offered me a great deal of reassurance and encouragement, and really understood what I was going through."

The charity's spokeswoman, Phyllis Craig, said many of the people they have helped had been unaware they were entitled to substantial benefit payments, and were struggling below the poverty line before the charity took up their case.

"We hope to do something for the people of York," she said.

"We can do a lot for them."

Former York Carriageworks employee John Steel welcomed today's announcement, saying it was "excellent news".

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Clydeside Action On Asbestos York branch, ring freephone 0808 100 0088.

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