Former Fife plumber "distraught" when he was told of asbestos news

A former plumber from Fife is telling Tay News how his worse fears were realised when he found out he had asbestos in his system.

William Davie fitted the fibres into buildings in the 60s and 70s before being diagnosed with pleural plaques five years ago.

The condition means the asbestos hasn't yet got into his lungs - but if it does it could become cancerous.

The 69-year-old said he vividly remembers the day doctors broke the news to him.

"I knew in my mind that I possibly could have it but when you get told you've got it it's a shock.

"I was absolutely distraught, I couldn't speak about it. It was absolutely horrendous."

He said his 15-year job as a plumber has resulted in asbestos getting into his system.

"You were joining the pipes together, six inches absestos flues and you were packing them with asbestos rope.

"You could see it in the air."

Abestos Action Tayside is holding its AGM in Dundee today. General Manager John Fearn wants workers to understand the dangers of exposure.

"Asbestos is still in the community and still round about us," he said.

"Workman should be extremely careful when dealing with asbestos and not become blasé about it.

"Generally as long as it's contained it's not any problem at all but we've just has case in Aberdeen where workman were wandering into a school which hadn't been secured on the asbestos side of things.

"It's still a challenge."

Euan Love from Digby Brown Solicitors said they still face an upward battle to get people compensation.

"Of all the areas of personal injury law, the area of asbestos related conditions is one of the most hard fought by insurers.

"It's one where firms are incredibly reluctant to make any payments. There's no compassion in these cases.

"We have to fight incredibly hard in all the cases."