Blow to A-bomb vets.

Byline: Warren Manger

COVENTRY and Warwickshire veterans who watched Britain's first atomic bomb explode have suffered a blow in their bid for damages.

Hundreds of ex-servicemen won the right to sue the Ministry of Defence (MoD) earlier this year.

They claim they have suffered cancer and other illnesses because they were exposed to radiation during the nuclear tests in the South Pacific during the 1950s.

But the MoD now seems set to appeal against the ruling, delaying the compensation hearings by up to a year.

Among the veterans seeking compensation are Patrick Burns from Coventry, Malcolm McDonnell from Rugby, Thomas Armstrong, from Stratford and Merle Ingram, the widow of Nuneaton man John Ingram who died of cancer.

Trial judge Mr Justice Foskett granted the MoD the right to appeal after ruling in favour of the ex-servicemen.

But he urged it to reach an out of court settlement with the veterans and imposed a cooling off period until this week.

Rosenblatt Solicitors, who are representing the ex-servicemen, say they have not heard from the MoD and fear an appeal is now on the cards as it tries to avoid the multimillion pound payout. Neil Sampson, partner at Rosenblatt, said: "In the past two years approximately 80 of our clients have died whilst waiting for the matter to come before the court."

"Because the MoD has so far failed to meet at the negotiating table we fear that many more will not see the end of this important litigation and know that they have achieved recognition for the service they gave to their country whilst in the armed forces.

"We hope even at this late stage that the Government will agree to talk to us."

CAPTION(S):

VICTIM...Thomas Armstrong VICTIM... Patrick Burns