by Nicola Jordan

Trevor Norwood didn’t want to work at Chatham Dockyard but took an apprenticeship because his dad and brother were there.

"It was just what you did," he said.

More than 50 years later, Trevor has been diagnosed with the industrial disease mesothelioma and has probably about seven months to live.

Trevor, 74, from Foulds Close, Parkwood, was exposed to the asbestos dust and fibres for six years as he helped to refit and repair shops and submarines at the naval base.

He is now claiming damages against his former employer, the Ministry of Defence, launching a legal battle for compensation of up to £250,000.

He said he is "philosophical" about his impending death but added: "It’s not me who has been affected by this. It’s my wife and daughter."

It’s for this reason that Trevor, who until the beginning of the year was still running his own cleaning business, Norwood Supplies, has taken the legal action.

He said: "We did not have a clue. "My hair and clothes would be covered in the stuff. I can remember one particular job when we were converting a minesweeper and it was everywhere."

Trevor left the dockyard after six years and went into cinema and bingo hall management for many years.

Medway born and bred, he said: "I never liked working there, but my dad and brother were there. It’s just what you did."

Trevor was given his prognosis in July this year and he and wife Barbara, who celebrated 50 years of marriage this year, were handed details of what to do next.

The couple plan to spend as much time together as possible and with their daughter Sharon King and grandsons in the coming months.

Trevor said: "We have booked a cruise around the Mediterranean next month, and in November we are on a cruise around the Canaries.

He is also treating his family to a trip to Disneyland Paris.