THE so-called Swindon Disease and other asbestos related illnesses are set to cost US and European business more than £200 billion.

Mesothelioma, the lung desease widely known as the Swindon Disease because it has claimed so many lives among the town's former railway workers, is the subject of compensation claims worldwide, along with other conditions caused by asbestosis.

The latest estimates by specialist lawyers and other experts are that asbestos-related cases in Europe will eventually cost up to £50b.

In the United States, the same experts believe, the equivalent cost could be as high as £175b.

At Swindon solicitors Thring Townsend, personal injuries lawyer Graeme Chisholm said many cases were still waiting to come to light, simply because of the nature of such conditions.

He explained: "The problem with asbestos-related cases is that some of the illnesses can lie relatively latent for quite a long time.

"While a lot of claims are coming into the open now, I think there will be a peak and then the level will drop off again.

"We are talking about pretty nasty illnesses, and some will inevitably result in death."

Asked whether companies and their insurers showed any inclination to admit responsibility for such diseases, Mr Chisholm said it depended on the companies and insurers concerned.

He added: "At the end of the day, a claim will only be successful is fault can be established in law.

"If you can't achieve that, it doesn't matter whether or not somebody has got an illness through handling asbestos."

Thring Townsend has handled many compensation cases on behalf of the grieving loved ones of former railway workers who died of mesothelioma.

However, when cash awards have been made, the figures have not been disclosed.

Work is shortly due to begin in Queen's Park on a memorial garden to Swindon Disease victims.

Funding has come from Evening Advertiser readers and local firms in response to an appeal in the newspaper.