A grandfather diagnosed with a deadly cancer after being exposed to asbestos in the workplace has been awarded £130,000 compensation.

Doug Conroy, aged 70, of 29 Glenview Avenue, Pembroke Dock, was awarded the damages after developing mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung. There is no cure for the cancer, which is caused by exposure to asbestos and can take up to 30 years to develop.

Doug said: "When I was diagnosed it was a hell of a shock. I thought I had heart trouble so when they said it was mesothelioma I thought I am finished'."

Doug was first exposed to asbestos while he was a teenager training to be an electrician in the 1950s.

He remembers working in asbestos ridden areas while installing cabling, lighting and power systems at steelworks, chemical plants and coke works around the UK.

These included Redbourne works in Scunthorpe and the Dorman Long steelworks in Middlesborough.

He was later exposed to asbestos dust again while working for Drake and Gorman in 1971 to 1973 at Pembroke power station.

He installed electrical systems and spent time working in the boiler house where pipes were being lagged with asbestos. He remembers asbestos snowing' down from the floors above and said he was never given any protection.

Doug, who has three children and two grandchildren, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in February 2004 and has undergone chemotherapy, radiotherapy and an operation.

He added: "Most people who get this illness do not live to see the compensation. I am pleased that now I can provide for my family after I am gone and while I am still here I can enjoy a little bit of comfort. I know I am one of the exceptional ones. I am lucky to still be here. The doctor said nothing could be done for me."