A FORMER chemist who worked at Fiddlers Ferry power station is being paid £15,000 in compensation by E.On UK after contracting bladder cancer.

Kenneth Rothwell, aged 69, of Frodsham, worked for 40 years at various power stations across the north west, including CEBG in Cuerdley.

Alison Barnard, from the Manchester office of national law firm Russell, Jones and Walker, which represents him, said: "Mr Rothwell suffers pain and discomfort on a daily basis, despite being in remission after his operation to remove a tumour from his bladder.

"He spent many years working for what was the Central Electricity Generating Board, which became Powergen and is now E.On UK PLC, with only a lab coat for protection against various chemicals known at the time to be carcinogenic.

"Mr Rothwell sought compensation from E.On UK because his employers knew, or should have known, about the danger of the chemicals in use at that time and should have protected their employees against exposure.

"He worked with chemicals including orthotolodine, 2-napthylamine and benzidine and was exposed to their fumes, coming into contact with the chemicals in unventilated premises."