MORE than £22,000 in compensation has been awarded to three train drivers who claimed an industrial injury left their hands permanently disabled.

They contracted Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), which can be caused by pressure on a nerve in the wrist, while working for Arriva Trains Wales in Carmarthen.

The company has said it is looking at what steps to take following the payout.

Union Aslef has said the Swansea Crown Court case sets a precedent for all train drivers.

Thompsons Solicitors, representing Aslef, said the judgement came after five-day trial in which a judge found all three drivers suffered from CTS and that it was work-related.

According to Thompsons, the judge also said Arriva Trains Wales had failed to assess the drivers' working conditions for risks to health and safety, or to put preventative measures in place.

Paul Studholme, aged 43, one of the three Arriva Trains Wales drivers affected, said in a statement issued through Thompsons that the condition had forced him to take more than 10 months off work.

He discovered he was suffering from the condition in 2004 and said: "It is a great relief that the judge has supported our argument.

"CTS forced me to go on the sick for a number of months and as a result I became depressed.

"The fact that three of us in the same depot all developed this condition shows that more should have been done to improve our working conditions."

The three drivers were among 50 working at the depot driving locomotives along the Heart of Wales lines.

Aslef said it argued that the symptoms of CTS were caused by the drivers' repetitive work, adopting awkward wrist postures and operating brake and power controls in cramped conditions.

The members had complained of inadequate seats with little or no adjustment and no arm rests.

Aslef general secretary Keith Norman said: "This is a fantastic result for our members and sets a precedent for all train drivers across the country who suffer from CTS.

Arriva Trains Wales issued a statement saying: "Following the judgement we will be taking the time to consider the implications of the decision and the next steps with our legal and health and safety advisers".