David Wilby, QC, was commended for his work on the case, which concluded at London's High Court in July, at the Personal Injuries Awards 2009, which took place at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square More than 350 people from across the UK attended the awards, which are held to showcase high standards of practice.

The Corby Group Litigation was brought by 16 youngsters and their families who claimed that a botched clean-up of Corby steelworks in the 1980s and 1990s had left them with upper and lower limb deformities.

Judge Robert Akenhead backed their claims and in his judgement gave a highly critical account of the clean-up, which released dangerous particles into the air.

David Wilby, joint head of chambers at Parklane Plowden, acted on behalf of the claimants in Corby.

Mr Wilby said: "This landmark decision was most probably the first time in the world that a judge has accepted that birth defects can be caused by airborne toxic chemicals.

"To receive the award is testament to the hard work and endeavour of a dedicated team."

Fiona Taylor, whose son George has a deformed hand, said: "I can't speak highly enough of him. He did an absolutely wonderful job in the case."

Mandy Wright, mother of Curtis Thorpe, who has a deformed hand, said: "I can't believe it. This is a real landmark.

"He had some job on his hands taking on Corby Council but he did an absolutely terrific job."