AN INNOCENT ignorance of the dangers posed by asbestos from years ago may well be responsible for causing hundreds of deaths in years to come.

People in Bolton are already dying from the consequences of working in places contaminated by the deadly substance.

Years ago thousands of people worked blissfully unaware of the damage they were doing to themselves.

Now, we know better, and it is surely up to today's society to compensate those whose lives have been left ruined, and in mortal danger.

Calls in today's BEN for a proper compensation system must be supported.

Figures from 1998 show the death rate from asbestos in Bolton was the second highest in Greater Manchester. During that year eight people in the town died from mesothelioma, a tumour almost exclusively caused by asbestos. The sooner suffering victims are compensated for their suffering the better -- let's not leave it until it is too late.