Claims made by asbestos victims will be speeded up through a new fast-track system, a Scottish Parliament committee has pledged.

Due to the protracted nature of compensation claims, many sufferers have died before their cases could be dealt with.

The Justice 2 Committee is seeking more resources to ensure cases receive a quicker passage through the courts.

Campaigners said the latest move showed progress but must be matched with action.

Owen McCaffray: "Your own lifetime"

More than 1,800 people have died from asbestos-related illnesses in Scotland.

Clydebank, where thousands once worked in shipyards, has the highest death rate from asbestos poisoning in the UK.

Mesothelioma attacks the lining of the lung or abdomen. It can cause a great deal of pain, and responds poorly to surgery and therapies.

Each case takes two to three years to go through the Scottish courts and the numbers of sufferers is expected to rise.

Lords' ruling

Campaigners have been trying to speed up the compensation process by petitioning the parliament.

On Wednesday, the committee chaired by Pauline NcNeill agreed to create a fast-track system.

The committee is seeking more money and specialists, including an extra judge to help achieve this.

It will also consider adopting an Australian system where the most urgent asbestos illness cases are heard within 14 days.

Ms McNeill said: "Because of the sense of urgency surrounding the asbestos cases and the mesothelioma sufferers in particular, we need a speedier system.

Mesothelioma attacks the lining of the lung

"We need a special system and one which has heavy judicial intervention."

One sufferer told BBC Scotland he was pleased to see progress being made but remained sceptical.

Owen McCaffray said: "What's the point of having the compensation if you cannot get any of the benefits you are hoping for - particularly in your own lifetime?"

Frank Maguire, a lawyer representing many of the victims, said while it was "a great step" claimants wanted to see tangible results.

The House of Lords ruled in May that victims should be compensated by a number of companies - even though it is not possible to say which was the source of the fatal fibre.

At the time of the ruling, there were over 500 cases waiting to be heard at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.