A WOMAN who lost her husband to the so-called Swindon Disease has been awarded damages against British Rail.

Shirley Hollister, 65, was heart-broken when her husband, David, died of mesothelioma on July 21 last year.

The asbestos-related cancer is often referred to as the Swindon Disease because it has cut a swathe of misery through former Railway Works staff.

In a posthumous message read out at his inquest in January, Mr Hollister said: "I remember going home with white fluffy pieces in my hair which were pulled out with a comb, believing them to be asbestos."

The coroner, David Masters, recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease after hearing the cancer had spread from Mr Hollister's right lung and encased his heart. Mr Hollister, an accomplished poet in his spare time, was employed at the works for almost 13 years before leaving in 1963.

His widow was awarded sub-stantial damages against BRB (Residuary) Ltd, an arm of works owners British Rail, although the precise sum is not being revealed.

Mrs Hollister said: "I would still rather have David back. No matter how much they pay in damages, they can't bring the person you love back. It's coming up to a year since David died I know they say the pain gets easier, but it doesn't at the moment."

When not writing poetry several of David's verses were published in the Evening Advertiser's 48 Hours section he was an avid Swindon Town fan. His ashes were scattered in the Town End goalmouth in a special ceremony, and Mrs Hollister still sits in his old seat whenever she attends a match. Mr Hollister worked for the club between 1988 and 1998.

Some time ago, Mrs Hollister donated £100 to the Evening Adver-tiser's fundraising appeal for a memorial garden to Swindon's many victims of mesothelioma. Plans for the garden at Queen's Park are expected to be approved at a council meeting tomorrow.

Her legal case was handled by lawyer Brigitte Chandler, a nationally recognised industrial disease lawyer who works for Swindon-based Thring Townsend. Ms Chandler said: "David Hollister initially worked as an office boy at British Rail.

"He then started an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner in the carriage and wagon shop at Swindon before working in a number of different workshops. He particularly recalled working in Number Seven Shop, where blue asbestos was sprayed onto the inside of carriages.

"David Hollister suffered grievously before he sadly died a year ago, and his wife, Shirley, comforted and helped him throughout this terrible period."