A CANCER sufferer believes she caught the disease from exposure to asbestos from her father's work clothes.

William Simpson's daughter, Barbara Larimore, 73, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2008 after complaining to her doctor about breathlessness.

There is no cure for the disease, which is caused by exposure to asbestos.

Barbara believes she came into contact with asbestos through her father, who worked for Leys Malleable Castings Ltd in Colombo Street, Derby.

Mr Simpson was a bricklayer for the iron foundry from 1937 to 1969. His job involved working with asbestos products and he would come home covered in dust.

Barbara, from Derby, said: "I used to help my mother to wash father's dirty work clothes. I would stand on my parents' back step and shake out the dust before washing them.

"It horrifies me now that by doing that simple thing all those years ago I was setting myself up for this disease."

Earlier this year, Derby coroner Dr Robert Hunter told the Derby Telegraph that a number of local women had developed fatal asbestos-related illnesses after washing their husbands' overalls.

Of the 168 asbestos deaths recorded by Derby and South Derbyshire Coroner's Court during the past five years, six were women and the rest were men. Derbyshire is a hotspot for the disease because asbestos was used in many of its traditional industries.

Barbara, who has three children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild, has received chemotherapy treatment.

Following her diagnosis, she contacted asbestos compensation claims expert Thompsons Solicitors. She is searching for his former workmates, in a bid to help her case for compensation.

Reuben Greenwood, from Thompsons Solicitors, said: "In order to build up an accurate picture of Mrs Larimore's exposure to asbestos, it is important we speak to anyone who can recall the working conditions at Leys Malleable Castings between 1965 and 1969."

Experts have predicted that the number of people developing mesothelioma will reach its peak in the next few years.

This is because there can be a delay of between 20 and 40 years between being exposed to asbestos and falling ill.

Anyone with information should contact Mr Greenwood on 0115 9897241or e-mail reubengreenwood@thompsons. law.co.uk.