CAMPAIGNERS from a Clydebank asbestos group say their fight will go on after they protested outside the opening match of the Rugby World Cup in Paris on Friday night.

Rachel Gallagher and Adele Kane from the Clydebank Asbestos Group (CAG) joined their counterparts from around the UK and France to once again demand international company Altrad donate £10 million to mesothelioma research.

Altrad - who sponsor both the French and New Zealand rugby teams - is the parent company of Cape, a leading manufacturer of asbestos products in the UK from the 1950s to the 1980s.

A 2019 legal case allegedly proved that in the 1960s, Cape withheld evidence on the true dangers of its asbestos products.

On Friday, as a result, members of the Asbestos Victims Support Group Forum (AVSGF) and CAG joined forces to once again drive home the message they will not be giving up the fight.

Rachel told the Clydebank Post: "This was an international protest and we were very proud to be part of it.

Clydebank Post: Security was tight at the Stade de FranceSecurity was tight at the Stade de France (Image: Supplied)

"While the stadium itself was heavily policed, we still managed to get our banners on display.

"Rugby fans should know the history behind the company Altrad which sponsors the French and New Zealand national teams, and the direct link the company has to asbestos manufacturing in the '60s and '70s through its acquisition of Cape in 2017.

"We protested alongside campaigners from the French national campaign group, ANDEVA and held a press conference that was well supported.

"This further drove home our message to Altrad that they have a moral responsibility to donate £10 million to mesothelioma research.

"This campaign is not over. We will continue because we have a moral duty on behalf of asbestos victims to do so."

In July, the Post reported how Altrad - whose headquarters are in Montpellier in France – had refused calls to make the £10m donation.

The company told the Post it did not want to comment on the protests.