Former car workers who have contracted bladder cancer have been urged to come forward after MG Rover paid out £168,000 to a victim.

The money was awarded to Brian Odell, 64, after he developed the disease, which he claimed was caused by contact with mineral oils at his workplace.

Brigitte Chandler, of Swindon law firm Thring Townsend, said: "It is possible that other people living in car towns, such as Oxford, who have contracted bladder cancer, may not be aware of a possible connection with their disease and their former work.

"I am aware that there could be other claimants."

Her company is representing the widow of a former Rover worker, from Swindon, whose case is due to be heard in the High Court.

She added: "It appears that Rover was aware of the carcinogenic properties of the oils but failed to tell workers."

Mr Odell believes daily exposure to industrial oils at Rover's Drews Lane plant in Washwood Heath, Birmingham, between 1957 and 1981, caused the cancer.

The company has not admitted liability but made an out-of-court payment.

Philip Edwards, of Birmingham law firm Irwin Mitchell, said the settlement was significant as it is believed to be the first case of bladder cancer allegedly caused by contact with industrial oils.

He told the Oxford Mail that Oxford workers were exposed to exactly the same oils.

He said: "This was the only place of work where Mr Odell was exposed to mineral oils, which he believes caused his cancer. There is a history of mineral oils being linked to skin and scrotal cancers, but never before to bladder cancer such as this."

Settlements have been made in the past for former Rover workers who suffered scrotal cancers believed to have been caused by carcinogenic oils used in heavy manufacturing until the 1970s, said Mr Edwards.

Experts believe workers could absorb the oils, which were used as coolants when machining motor parts, either through the skin, droplets in the air, swallowing or cuts.

Mr Odell, a father-of-four from Smithswood, Birmingham, worked as a machinist and a tool setter at the then Austin Rover plant where car components were finished. He was forced to retire due to ill-health. He had his bladder and prostate removed in August, 1992.

Mr Odell welcomed the end of his eight-year battle for compensation but said his illness had left him unable to lead a normal life.

But he said employers such as Rover "must have known" about the carcinogenic properties of oils since research was carried out as long ago as the 1950s.

Incidences of bladder cancer as well as other conditions in other workers, including those at the same plant, were "too profound to ignore" and could not be a coincidence, he added.

A spokeswoman for MG Rover Group said: "Mr Odell worked at Drews Lane, which was part of the old Austin Rover Group, between 1957 and 1981.

"After leaving the company, he became ill and submitted a personal injury claim against the company.

"The claim relates to a factory which is no longer part of the business. The claim has been handled by the company's insurers and we understand a settlement has been reached with Mr Odell.-