The generation of people left disabled by the drug thalidomide have launched a fresh bid for compensation with the backing of former newspaper editor Sir Harold Evans.

Although the victims, who were born with shortened limbs and other health problems after their mothers took the drug for morning sickness, receive £18,000 a year from a trust fund set up by the drug company, they believe this should be doubled.

This is because the victims are ageing and facing additional expenses associated with their health problems, for example, a need to buy specially-adapted motorized wheelchairs.

"We’re asking the government to look at our financial plan and improve it so we can live an independent life with dignity," said Nick Dobrik, a thalidomide victim at the helm of the campaign.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health insisted that the trust fund is sufficient and said it will have paid out £150 million by 2037.

Thalidomide was first developed in Germany in 1957 and although fears over its safety led to it not being licensed in the US, this was not the case in Britain. It was withdrawn in 1961 after the catastrophic birth defects became obvious.