A lawyer representing victims of Nazi oppression in World War Two has warned three Austrian companies that they must cooperate with compensation efforts or face legal action.

The companies are alleged to have profited from the use of forced labour.

The United States based lawyer, Ed Fagan, said the companies VOEST, Steyr-Daimler-Puch, Lenzinger had not responded to his offer for talks, and that time was running out because of the age of many of the survivors.

Mr Fagan has already played a leading role in several lawsuits filed on behalf of Holocaust victims against German banks and companies.