TWO charities have joined forces to raise awareness of mesothelioma, dubbed the Swindon disease.

Thousands of railway workers were exposed to asbestos while employed at the railway works and hundreds have contracted it.

Now the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund (JHMRF) is merging with the British Lung Foundation (BLF), with plans to work together to raise awareness of the disease - which killed 1,848 people in 2001 - and secure research into it.

The JHMRF has raised £250,000 since it was founded in 1997 after the death of June Hancock, who contracted the disease after growing up near an asbestos factory near Leeds.

The two organisations plan to campaign for better awareness of the Swindon disease on the first national Mesothelioma Action Day in February next year.

Dame Helena Shovelton, chief executive of the BLF, said: "We are delighted that JHMRF is merging with the BLF and look forward to working with them and taking forward all the good work they have done.

"It is vital that something is done to stop more needless deaths from this horrid disease."

Terry Farrell, 69, of Walcot, who lost his 68-year-old brother Michael to the condition in 2001, said: "This is a very good idea.

"It's especially good if it raises awareness.

"A lot of people would like to get together on Mesothelioma Action Day, and this could unite them."