There is a strong case for prosecuting management at the former York Carriageworks for corporate manslaughter, a conference on asbestos has heard.

And those responsible for exposing workers at the site to the lethal fibre over several decades deserve to be imprisoned, according to a leading York industrial diseases solicitor.

Kevin Hughes told the conference on the legal and social implications of exposure to asbestos: "There were appalling safety provisions at the carriageworks and I believe that a strong case could be made out for corporate manslaughter to be extended to those who ran the site.

"And imprisonment for these people is what they deserve."

More than 60 guests at St William's College in York - including many who worked at the Holgate Road plant - were reassured that most people who came into contact with asbestos had little to fear.

York chest consultant Dr Alan Hunter said that the most common medical complaints caused by asbestos - known as pleural plaques - were benign.

Only a very small percentage of workers would go on to suffer from mesothelioma or lung cancer, he said.

According to Evening Press calculations, more than 70 former workers from the thousands employed over the years at the carriageworks have died as a result of breathing asbestos at the site.

The conference heard that anyone who developed lung diseases as a result of exposure to asbestos could expect to receive some compensation if they were to pursue their case.

Personal injury specialist Matthias Kelly QC said: "If you have been exposed to asbestos and can show an injury then you can bring an action where you could receive damages.

"You can then return to court at a later time if your health gets worse."

Mr Kelly said this could be a great comfort to families and dependants as it gave them an avenue of redress.

But those suffering from the stress and strain of living in fear of contracting an asbestos-related disease, and who have seen former colleague die as a result, would not be able to win damages.

The conference, sponsored and arranged by Pattinson Brewer solicitors, was also told that those suffering medical complaints as a result of coming into contact with asbestos at the carriageworks were entitled to industrial disease benefit worth about £100 a week.

A spokesman for the British Railways Board said: "We are very much aware of the situation in York with asbestos-related diseases.

"We have every sympathy with the people suffering from these dreadful illnesses."

He declined to comment further.

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