Former servicemen from Shropshire who say they were exposed to radiation during nuclear testing are hoping a Supreme Court challenge could clear the way for them to finally receive damages.

The Ministry of Defence last month won an appeal against a ruling allowing 1,000 veterans who witnessed atomic bombs in the South Pacific in the 1950s and 1960s to apply for compensation.

But now the veterans, who include four men from Telford, say they expect to find out in the first week of March whether the Court of Appeal’s decision will be overturned.

Henry Morgan, from Trench, Telford, said it would be a crucial ruling for servicemen who developed problems such as cancer, skin defects and fertility issues after being told to cover their eyes or turn away when bombs exploded.

Mr Morgan, 71, said: “I have had a history of illness since the tests.”

He added: “I saw just the one bomb, in 1958 at Christmas Island. But this is very important for all of us and I have been fighting this case for over 10 years.

“We are all hopeful, but it seems like the Government is going to fight until there is only three of us left and then give us something.”

Fellow atomic bomb veteran Leslie Lund, 75, of Hollinswood, Telford, said: “The decision would be so important but we are not that optimistic. If we do get something it is a bonus as we want the fight to go on for everybody who was involved, particularly all those who are very ill.”

The Atomic Veterans Claimant Group has pledged to fight to the bitter end for justice for the servicemen.

The Government said it was grateful for the veterans’ “invaluable contribution” during the testing, but stood by the Court of Appeal’s decision.

Andrew Robathan, minister for defence personnel, welfare and veterans, said: “While I have tremendous sympathy with anyone who is ill, the court accepted arguments that the general merits of the claims were extremely weak and said that the claimants had produced no evidence to link illnesses with attendance at the nuclear tests.”