CALLS for a memorial to victims of York's asbestos timebomb have won crucial backing from council leader Steve Galloway.

He said he would "provide whatever support is necessary" to create a monument to the scores of former York Carriageworks employees killed by asbestos-related diseases.

He would be asking Holgate ward councillors to put the matter on the agenda at the next ward meeting, and says he thought the council's Neighbourhood Pride Unit would feel able to provide administrative support for the project.

He also thought the incoming Lord Mayor, Coun Janet Greenwood, would feel able to give the project her backing.

Relatives of several victims have recently called in the Evening Press for such a memorial on the former factory site in Holgate Road.

They said an archway, created last year as a public artwork to commemorate the craftsmanship and heritage of the carriageworks, made no reference to the asbestos tragedy.

Kathryn McKellar, who lost her father John to mesothelioma, claimed there had been a "betrayal," saying: "There are memorials to people who lost their lives in war, but nothing for all the people who have died because of asbestos at the carriageworks."

She said she would like somewhere to take her daughter, Emily, and tell her about the grandfather she never knew.

Coun Galloway has stepped in at the request of Coun Andrew Waller, executive member for the environment. Coun Waller said that - while out delivering leaflets as Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for York - he had been asked by residents to inquire how an appropriate memorial could be created.

Coun Waller said he was confident there would be widespread support, but stressed that everything would have to be done in consultation with the families.

York's Labour candidate Hugh Bayley backed the calls earlier this year, urging victims' relatives who supported the proposal to write to him with their views.

Coun Galloway said he was "very sympathetic" to the request, saying a monument would recognise the contribution that engineering workers had made to the city, in particular those who died as a result of conditions there.

He said he thought councillors would welcome former carriageworks employees and their relatives when the issue was discussed at the ward meeting.

He asked Coun Waller to take a lead and act as the contact with families.

Updated: 10:14 Wednesday, April 20, 2005