A terminally ill firefighter has won substantial damages in an out-of-court settlement after claiming he contracted terminal cancer while exposed to asbestos at work.

Roger Gee, of Derbyshire, declined to reveal the size of the award other than to say it would put an end to any financial worries for himself and his family.

Mr Gee, 56, had worked for South Yorkshire Fire Service for 26 years.

In January 1999, he learned he had contracted mesothelioma - a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos dust.

Mr Gee sued his former employers, claiming he had contracted the cancer while using asbestos blankets to put out chimney fires. He said he also performed training drills without breathing equipment in ducts containing asbestos-lagged pipes in the 1970s.

The claim was due to be heard in court 25 February but on the eve of the case the fire service made an out-of-court offer which Mr Gee has accepted.

He said: "The fire service have dragged their feet for many months but I'm glad that it has all now been resolved. Time is not on my side and I felt they could have settled at a much earlier date.

"However, the weight of evidence was so much in my favour that they had no option but to make the settlement.

"The out-of-court award means I am spared the ordeal of a court appearance and gives me financial peace of mind, especially for my wife, Susan."

South Yorkshire Fire Service has not commented on the out-of-court settlement.

It is not believed there are any other South Yorkshire firefighters who have contracted the cancer through exposure to the asbestos blankets and pipes.

Mr Gee has been receiving pioneering chemotherapy treatment at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London in a bid to shrink the size of the tumour.

He said: "The treatment has been fairly exhausting but the cancer is incurable and I know I only have a limited time left. The settlement should mean I can now live out my remaining time with my family without any other worries."