THE husband of a North Devon teacher who died after contracting mesothelioma has won a major victory in his fight against asbestos in schools.

Michael Lees from Hardsworthy near Bradworthy lost his wife Gina in September 2000 after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was just 51.

Michael started his investigation into asbestos in schools immediately after his wife's death and has been fighting ever since.

He is part of the national Asbestos in Schools group which last week succeeded in its goal of getting the Government to set up a steering group to look at all aspects of risk management and training for asbestos in schools.

Michael said: "Most asbestos incidents occur without teachers, staff or pupils knowing they have had them.

"There were 100,000 temporary classrooms built in 1980 and any one of them is likely to contain asbestos.

"Very sadly, people are dying. Gina had been a teacher for 30 years at 25 schools. She did a lot of supply teaching and taught at both state and independent schools. She taught at schools in Cornwall and Devon, including schools in Bideford.

"The vast majority she had taught in contained asbestos in one form or another. I can remember her brushing what turned out to be asbestos debris from her clothes in one classroom after hanging up child-rens' artwork.

"Knocking pins into walls and hanging pictures can all release asbestos in low levels and it builds up. Cumulative exposure lasts in your body and gradually builds up. A tumour builds before mesothelioma sets in."

Michael has spoken in parliament and last year the group met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. However, no action was taken until the meeting with schools minister Diana Johnson MP last week.

Chairman of the Asbestos in Schools group, Rochdale MP, Paul Rowen, said: "We have come a long way since our initial meeting with the Prime Minister last year. From the Health and Safety Executive initially denying there was a problem with the management of asbestos in schools, we are now seeing action to provide materials and training for those charged with the safety of staff and children in our schools. I am delighted."

The decision followed the recent damning ATAC (Asbestos Testing and Consultancy) report on asbestos in schools which highlighted major failings in the management of asbestos.

Michael said: "The report reflects what members find in schools throughout the country - that the majority have unacceptable and unworkable systems. None were found to have a flawless management plan that was specific to the school."

He added: "178 schoolteachers have died since 1980, and between 2001 and 2005 there were 64 schoolteacher deaths.

"Nursery nurses and teaching assistants have died and I even know of cooks and secretaries who have died very sadly.

"It is only now that they have realised that something has to be done.

"We are getting there. At times I wondered if we would. But, I'm not going to be complacent now, there has been a huge momentum and we must keep it going.

"I know Gina would be very pleased and I want to make sure it doesn't happen to others.

"What started as a small acorn has grown into something very big and last Wednesday's meeting marked a very big step forward. It is just the beginning but I am very pleased. I have been working on this since Gina died and it's everything I have been working for."

The steering group is due to meet this month and Michael said a meeting with shadow minister Nick Gibb is planned for March 10 to make absolutely sure that if the Conservatives are elected, they will carry the campaign forward.