Toxic waste caused deformities, claims schoolboy

George Taylor and his family believe the deformities on his right hand are linked to the mismanagement of dangerous waste dumps at redundant steel works land in Corby.

George, 15, has already had an index finger amputated and now faces losing his entire hand.

The teenager and his parents are one of more than 20 families who claim Corby Borough Council failed to follow proper guidelines when disposing of the waste in the 1980s.

They allege that airborne exposure to toxic chemicals during the embryonic stages of pregnancy had the potential to cause the children's limb problems.

A group litigation was approved last year, allowing individual cases to be brought.

The Taylors' damages action has been lodged at the High Court in London.

George, who lives with his parents in the Scottish village of Pitmedden in Aberdeenshire, said today he was "angry and annoyed" with the council.

His limb deformities, he said, had affected his quality of life.

"It has caused me a lot of pain. I can't carry bags with my right hand and can't play sports like golf, rugby or tennis.

"If I lose my thumb I won't be able to play my X-box with my friends - it has stopped me doing so much."

His mother, Fiona, who gave birth to George near Corby, said the ordeal had been a "living nightmare".

Mrs Taylor, 45, believes her son was exposed to the toxins while she ran a pub with his father, Brian, in the Northamptonshire town.

She claims poisonous substances were often unwittingly brought in to the bar on the clothes of workmen assigned to the clean-up.

"George is now facing more surgery - he is definitely going to lose a thumb because of finger disease and the fear is he may lose his hand," she said.

"That is devastating for us. I am absolutely raging with the council.

"There are so many things that point towards them being guilty but they are still denying it.

"We are seeking compensation but at the end of the day it is not going to make up for all that George is going to miss out on in his life."

Corby Borough Council are contesting all claims against them and deny liability.

A council spokeswoman said it would not comment further due to the ongoing legal process.