A NEWPORT man whose health has been ravaged over 50 years is among a group of former servicemen and their families taking the MOD to court over alleged damage caused by atomic bomb testing.

Pensioner Thomas Bolden has suffered two heart attacks, a stomach aneurism, angina, cataracts and diabetes over the past five decades.

He is part of a group of more than 1,000 claimants from the Atomic Veterans Group who have issued a writ against the MOD for damages for survivors or families directly affected by atomic bomb testing in the 1950s and early 1960s.

They claim heart problems they now suffer from may be directly linked to their exposure to bomb tests.

Mr Bolden, 72, of Howe Circle, Newport, served as a SAPPA in the Royal Engineers between 1956-1958 and was stationed on Christmas Island for 12 months while tests atomic and hydrogen bombs were going on.

He told the Argus he now struggles to walk up the stairs to his second floor flat and takes 17 different types of medication.

He believes his problems come from his exposure and from ill health for years.

"It has been horrible - one thing after another. I have had some bad times and have been in and out of the Royal Gwent Hospital.

"I can't do alot anymore," he said.

He said the atomic bombs were dropped around 14 miles away from where they were working.

When hydrogen bombs were being tested, Mr Bolden said they had to put their thumbs in their eyes to shield them from the flash of the bomb, but could still feel the heat generated by the explosion.

"The heat from the hydrogen would pass through you, you would feel it," he said.

A spokeman for the MOD said: "When compensation claims are received they are considered on the basis of whether or not the Ministry of Defence has a legal liability to pay compensation.

"Where there is a proven legal liability compensation is paid."