No one else from the estate has complained

Ms Ashdown believes that it was while living on the Harts Lane estate that she contracted the disease.

However a council spokesman said that apart from Ms Ashdown no one else had made a complaint.

He said: "The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is obviously saddened to hear of Mrs Ashdown's health and hopes that the timely conclusion of this case will be of consolation to her."

However he said that "in no way should the settlement be viewed as an admission of liability nor was it offered as such".

Asbestosis is a serious, long-term lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos dust over a prolonged time.

The lung tissue becomes thickened and scarred and reduces the amount of oxygen that is transferred into the blood.

There is no effective treatment for the condition.