DOZENS of former Cammell Laird Shipyard workers are fighting to have their pensions paid to them.

Wilf Ireland, who is leading the campaign, believes at least 50 of the men who worked at the yard between 1960 and 1990 have not received a pension.

He claims the problem has arisen because the company responsible for pensions has no trace of them having worked at Birkenhead.

Mr Ireland, of Bromborough, now is taking legal advice from Alan Roberts, a Chester-based solicitor who specialises in employment law.

Mr Roberts said: "I know of around 50 men who are affected but we believe there could be many more and are appealing for these men to come forward."

Mr Roberts added that he intended to make a claim against the pensions company if it refuses to settle.

He said: "There appears to be no records for these men. Some of them could be owed thousands of pounds. We'll have to look at each case and work out how long each of the men worked at Laird's to assess how much they are owed."

Mr Roberts also is trying to arrange a meeting with the insurance company responsible for the pensions, Capita Hartshead.

Mr Ireland, a widower, all his working life a boilermaker at Laird's, is disgusted at the way he has been treated.

He said: "There were between 14,000 and 15,000 men working at the yard during this period and I would like to know how many of them have received a pension.

"I can't believe what has happened. I've been told I didn't work there and there are no records of me.

"I'm now hoping more men in the same situation as myself will come forward."

Arthur Roberts, 52, worked in the yard from 1964 until 1970 and from 1972 until 1984, when he was made redundant.

Mr Roberts, of Birkenhead, said the discovery that the pension he had paid into for years did not seem to exist was a shock.

He said: "I paid so much and yet at the end of the day there's no money in the kitty. It was a real surprise to me."

Martin Boulton, secretary of the shipbuilding industry's pension scheme, at Capita Hartshead, said: "Our pension scheme was responsible for paying cash benefits on retirement. As far as we know, all of these have been paid."

Mr Boulton added that all other benefits, including a periodical cash bonus which was paid every five years, death benefits while in service and sickness and accident benefits, were the responsibility of Laird's.

Laird's receiver, Pricewaterhouse Cooper, was unavailable for comment.

* Men who worked at Cammell Laird's between 1960 and 1990 who have not been paid a pension are urged to contact Alan Roberts on 01244- 548816.