Mr David began working at the company in 1985

Richard David, 49, is suing aircraft parts company Normalair Garrett - now owned by Honeywell - for compensation.

The firm denies depleted uranium was ever used at the plant in Yeovil, Somerset, where he worked until 1995.

Mr David, who lives in Seaton in Devon, asked the High Court for more time to gather evidence. The hearing is due to resume next April.

Mr David claims the metal's existence at the plant was denied because it is an official secret.

But he says he now suffers from a catalogue of illnesses, including respiratory and kidney problems, bowel conditions and painful joints.

He worked as a component fitter on fighter planes and bombers, but left work because of his health problems.

He claimed medical tests had revealed mutations to his DNA and damage to his chromosomes that could only have been caused by ionising radiation.