A WEYMOUTH decorator has spoken of the ‘frightening’ moment he was diagnosed with the asbestos-related illness that has left him with debilitating heart and lung problems.

Bob Croucher has just won a £160,000 compensation payout after breathing in toxic dust while painting and decorating at the Winfrith UKAEA site in the 1960s.

But the 63-year-old says he would swap every penny just to be able to run to the end of his garden without being puffed out.

Mr Croucher’s illness only began to manifest itself five years ago, when he noticed he was becoming short of breath.

“It frightened me to death when the doctor told me it was asbestos,” said Mr Croucher, who lives on Canberra Crescent, Littlemoor.

“He may as well have told me I had cancer.

“Asbestos is really serious and kills a lot of people.”

Mr Croucher suffered a thickening and inflammation of the lungs, a condition that also spread to his heart.

He has already undergone one major operation on his heart and may yet have to go under the knife again.

There is also an increased risk of developing mesothelioma – a form of cancer almost always linked to asbestos.

As is so often the case with asbestos-related diseases, Mr Croucher’s illness only came to light decades after his exposure to the substance.

“I couldn’t even get from the front room to the kitchen,” he said.

“I have puffed and blown ever since and my breathing is still very restricted. It is incredible – any exertion puffs me out.”

Mr Croucher said he bears no bitterness against the companies he was decorating for at the Winfrith plant as little was known about asbestos’s toxic effects back then.

He said: “There was no health and safety – that was just the way things were. I didn’t give asbestos a thought, I just got on with the job.”

Mr Croucher worked for both Ian Williams Ltd, of Bristol, and Eileen Ltd, of Reading, previously Fields (Reading), at the plant over the course of two years.

Brigitte Chandler, of Mr Croucher’s solicitors, Charles Lucas and Marshall, said he had to scrape the coating off asbestos-covered pipes to paint them, while laggers also sprayed the substance in the turbine hall.

Mr Croucher, who has not been able to work since his problems began five years ago, said although his compensation amount was welcome it only just began to cover his lost earnings.

But he added: “There is no point in dwelling on things. I have got to look forward.”

Ian Williams Ltd and Eileen Ltd settled Mr Croucher’s case before it reached trial this week.

Harry Adam, human resources director at Ian Williams, said: “We have been working with Mr Croucher and his solicitors and are pleased to have been able to reach an agreement which is satisfactory to him.

“Understanding of dealing with asbestos and legislation relating to its treatment has changed significantly in the last 40 years.

“We fully comply with health and safety regulations and have recently been awarded the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Gold Award.”

Eileen is no longer trading.