A campaign group representing families affected by asbestos-related illnesses last night welcomed news that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) looks set to overturn an original ruling on a drug called Alimta.

Mesothelioma, which usually kills within a year of diagnosis, is mainly caused by fibres of asbestos that damage the lungs.

Cases of the disease are found in clusters where asbestos was used most widely, such as areas with links to construction work and railway engineering.

As a result of its strong shipbuilding history, Belfast is one of the UK's hotspots for the disease.

And industrial areas of Londonderry are also seen as 'pockets' for asbestos-related illnesses.

Alimta is not a cure for mesothelioma but does ease its severe symptoms significantly and can extend a sufferer's life by up to a year.

There was uproar last year when Nice, the medicine authority for England and Wales, ruled the drug was not cost-effective enough to fund on the NHS.

There has since been further consultation and a new decision stating Alimta is now a recommended treatment has been circulated.

Nice guidelines do not extend to Northern Ireland but it has formal links with our Department of Health, which has been following the Alimta guidelines with interest.

It is thought around 50 people in Northern Ireland are currently affected by mesothelioma and an estimated 80-100 victims die from asbestos-related illnesses each year.

Those figures are expected to rise significantly in coming years as asbestos-related illnesses can take up to 40 years from exposure to manifest.

Gerard Quigley, chair of the North West Justice for Asbestos Victims group, said he welcomed any development "which could ease the pain and suffering for mesothelioma sufferers".