The mums who took their 'toxic town' to court

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Tracey Taylor and Maggie Mahon didn't know each other when their children were born, just a year apart. Both were pregnant at a time when the English town of Corby was being polluted by dust from the clean-up of its giant old steelworks site. No-one knew the dust might be poisonous and they breathed it in, unaware that it could harm their unborn children. Tracey and Mark's daughter Shelby-Anne was born with multiple abnormalities and died at four days old. Maggie and Derek's son Sam was born with his right foot turned sharply inwards, a condition commonly called Clubfoot or Talipes. Tracey had worked next to the toxic site and Maggie's husband Derek had been working with a team clearing the waste. For many years they – and other parents affected - were unaware of a possible link between toxic dust and their children's conditions. But a lawyer called Des Collins became interested in the number of children in and around Corby with limb differences and started to investigate. He was looking for parents who would be willing to take the case to court. Tracey and Maggie were among the mothers who said yes. This is their story. This programmes includes the experience of losing a baby. Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: Helen Fitzhenry Get in touch: [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707 (Photo: Tracey Taylor and Maggie Mahon sit together at Tracey's home. Credit: BBC (Helen Fitzhenry))