MICHAEL Clapham, MP for Barnsley West and Penistone, is urging the Prime Minister to extend a compensation scheme for victims of asbestos-related disease.

He wants ex-employees from a former Greater Manchester-based firm, Turner and Newell, to benefit from the money.

The former staff face long delays in settling their claims because of court action to wind-up the firm's parent company.

Tony Blair said he is talking to the firm's administrators about the matter.