Thompsons Solicitors is demanding a change in the law, so that bereavement payments in England and Wales are brought into line with those made in Scotland.

Dozens of people in South Tyneside, including many ex-shipyard workers, have contracted the terminal disease mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by exposure to asbestos.

Many more will die of the disease, which has a long incubation period, in years to come.

Thompsons, a Newcastle-based UK personal injury law firm, is calling for the fixed bereavement award of £10,000 in England and Wales to be increased to those made in Scotland.

There, payments of up to £30,000 have been made to bereaved widows, while other family members can also receive between £10,000 and £15,000 each.

The campaign, which has been launched in response to Government consultation on the law on damages, has received backing from several MPs.

Ian McFall, head of asbestos policy at Thompsons, said: "This consultation gives the Government another opportunity to look again at compensation for bereavement.

"We believe strongly there is a powerful case for a change in the law to bring compensation for bereavement into line with the amounts currently paid in Scotland."

The consultation process by the Ministry for Justice is aimed at improving the system for dealing with claims for compensation for personal injuries and death.

Thompsons has called on the Government to retain the current practice requiring negligent employers and their insurers to pay compensation for bereavement.

But the firm is demanding the fixed £10,000 award is increased.

In their response to the Government's consultation paper, Thompsons say the amount currently paid to bereaved relatives is out of date.