Image caption,

The case came after two military exercises in Latvia in 2018 and 2019 at an abandoned former Soviet town called Skrunda-1 (pictured inside one of the buildings)

By Rebecca Ricks

BBC South West Investigation Team

A group of 260 Royal Marines have issued proceedings against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) amid claims they were "knowingly" exposed to asbestos.

The potential exposure is said to have taken place in Latvia in 2018 and 2019 over two exercises, with a sample from the site allegedly containing asbestos.

It is claimed the MoD breached the Human Rights Act by "knowingly" exposing them to the substance.

The MoD said it took troops' health and safety "extremely seriously".

It had previously conducted a Service Inquiry into what it called "alleged exposure" during exercises Saber Strike 18 (SS18) and Baltic Protector 19 (BP19) but could not comment further due to ongoing legal proceedings.

The case is being brought to the High Court by 260 service personnel from Plymouth's 30 Commando and Arbroath's 45 Commando, mostly Royal Marines with attached soldiers from the Army. Of those, only 38 remain in service.