The widow of a Unite member has secured £120,000 in compensation after her husband died from asbestos related disease, mesothelioma.

The damages were secured by one of Unite’s lawyers, Thompsons Solicitors, after an out of court settlement with AEI.

The 71-year-old from Mold in Wales was exposed to asbestos while working for the Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Company in Trafford Park, Manchester, now known as AEI.

He worked for the firm as an improver apprentice and than a production assistant during 1952 and 1956 and again between 1958 and 1964.

In a statement before his death he said: “I am very shocked at the diagnosis and I just felt completely bewildered and stunned.

“I cannot believe that this has happened to me. I’m so very worried about what will happen to my wife if I die.

“We have walked up mountains together and always kept ourselves fit and healthy and were careful with our money to ensure that we were provided for in our retirement. I feel very angry, upset and frustrated as there is so much that I need and want to do.”

The Unite member, who did not have any children, was the sole carer for his wife, aged 92, and hoped the compensation would pay for her to stay in a care home following his death.