The Co-operative Insurance has called for insurance companies to back plans to help people with mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases to claim compensation even when insurers cannot be found.

Many people now suffering from mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos many years ago and their employers at the time have gone bust or closed down.

In these instances compensation claims can be difficult as it is not always possible to trace the insurers of the companies involved.

The Co-operative Insurance has called for insurers to fund a pool from which compensation can be paid in these instances.

A similar scheme already exists in the motor insurance industry where there is a pool available to pay compensation to people injured by uninsured drivers or drivers that cannot be traced.

A pool to compensate mesothelioma sufferers would provide compensation to many people who, through no fault of their own, find it difficult under the current system to access compensation.