Britain’s atomic test veterans, including a Shropshire great-grandfather, today won their High Court bid for the right to sue for compensation.

About 1,000 servicemen, including Telford veteran Leslie Lund, who blame their ill-health on involvement in Britain’s 1950s nuclear tests want to sue the Ministry of Defence.

The veterans took part in the programme on the Australian mainland, Monte Bello islands and Christmas Island between 1952 and 1958.

They say new scientific evidence has shown links between exposure to ionising radiation and their conditions, which include cancer, skin defects and fertility problems.

Mr Lund from Hollinswood, was one of the survivors from the Royal Navy ship, HMS Diana, in 1956.

The 73-year-old has suffered a catalogue of health problems, including skin and bone complaints, since the 1970s, after he served on the destroyer when two atomic bombs were detonated off Montebello Island, off the Australian coast.

After today’s ruling, Mr Lund said: “I feel great, but it will be a long time before we can get any proper results – probably about two years.

“I’m highly delighted it’s all gone through – all we’ve got to do now is wait.”

His daughter Lorraine Pritchard said: “It’s brilliant news. It’s what they deserve.”

Atomic bomb Mosaic G1 was detonated on May 16, 1956, with Mosaic G2 tested a month later.

Many of the veterans are terminally ill and seven have died since the High Court hearing in January.

The Ministry of Defence, while publicly acknowledging the “debt of gratitude” owed to the men, is fighting the multi-million pound group action.

Mr Benjamin Browne QC, for the men, told Mr Justice Foskett it would be just to allow them to go ahead.

In his 217-page judgment, Mr Justice Foskett said: “All things being equal, a veteran who believes he has an illness, injury or disability attributable to his presence at the tests whose case is supported by apparently reputable scientific and medical evidence, should be entitled to his day in court.”