A former Royal Marine from Faversham is among 1,000 nuclear test victims involved in a High Court case today.

Bert Tomlin, 69, spent a year on Christmas Island during the 1950s where the atom bomb and hydrogen bombs were tested just a few miles off shore.

He is now suffering from fibrosis which affects his breathing and both his sons suffer from asthma. He also says his wife, Ann, suffered from blood poisoning when pregnant.

The Ministry of Defence is trying to stop compensation claims by the test veterans before they have begun.

Lawyers for the veterans say they suffered personal injuries ranging from skin conditions to cancer.

If the claim for damages is successful, it is estimated the case could cost the MoD hundreds of million of pounds.

MoD laywers are today trying to halt the proceedings under the Limitation Act 1980 on the basis that the events happened too long ago.

Recalling the events on Christmas Island, Mr Tomlin, of Sherwood Close, Faversham, said: “They gave us warning when the bombs were let off and we had to turn our backs and put our hands over our eyes. There wasn’t any other protection.”