The House of Lords was today set to make a ground-breaking legal decision that could free up compensation for thousands of victims of the so-called Swindon Disease mesothelioma.

Many victims of the fatal form of lung cancer have been denied compensation because they came into contact with asbestos through more than one employer.

Unable to prove which contact proved fatal, judges have failed to grant any compensation.

Three families of asbestos victims have gone to the House of Lords to overturn a previous High Court ruling on the matter.