business owners and charity managers could face huge fines if they ignore new asbestos laws.

Regulations are being introduced to combat a dramatic increase in asbestos-related deaths.

The revelation comes after the Daily Echo revealed millions of pounds lay in wait for families of dockyard workers with asbestos-related diseases.

Fatalities caused by the top industrial killer in the UK will increase threefold over the next 18 years - reaching 10,000 by 2020.

In Southampton - one of the top ten blackspots in the country because of the docks - asbestos claims more lives than road accidents.

Now the government is passing legislation to ensure all managers of business and charity premises know exactly where asbestos can be found in their buildings.

Failure to commission an asbestos register could result in heavy fines.

Marc O'Brien, owner of asbestos consultants Breeze environment, based in Southampton, said he was confident the legislation would be in place by 2004.

"The history speaks for itself," he said. "You've got all these people making claims because their employers let them work near asbestos and they didn't know the dangers.

"But if you know where the asbestos is, the risks of anyone contracting a horrible disease are greatly reduced."

The "Duty to Manage" amendment to be included in the 2002 Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations is expected to prevent 3,800 deaths over the next century.

It is not yet clear what the fines could be for flouting the law.

Four and a half million premises built before 1999 are believed to contain the potentially deadly substance.

For an asbestos survey or related information you can visit www.breezeenvironment.co.uk or call 023 8070 1661.