London  - A group of young Britons who claimed that their physical disabilities were due their mothers' exposure to Wednesday won a legal battle against the authorities they blame for their condition.

The High Court in London ruled that Corby Borough Council was "negligent" during works to reclaim a major steel plant in the late 1980s and 1990s and therefore liable for the damage caused.

The question of causality between the exposure to toxic materials and the deformities would be decided at a later date, the court ruled.

It said Wednesday's landmark ruling would apply to all 18 claimants, now aged between 9 and 22, except the two youngest.

Corby council, in the county of Northamptonshire, north-west of London, had denied that it was negligent during the works at the former British Steel plant between 1985 and 1999.

It maintained that there was no link between the removal of waste to a quarry north of the site and deformities affecting hands and feet.

Corby Borough Council said it was disappointed with the ruling and maintained its position.

But lawyers acting for the eight families involved said it was the first time that, following the negligent release of toxic material into the atmosphere, a court has found that this material can be inhaled and ingested by pregnant women and is capable of causing serious birth defects to their children.(dpa)