THE widow of a former Derby man who died after being exposed to asbestos is appealing for his old work colleagues to help in her legal battle for compensation.

Walter George Cotton was diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma in August last year.

He died eight months later, aged 86, leaving widow Daphne, two children, four grandchildren and a great granddaughter.

An inquest into his death in April recorded a verdict of industrial disease.

The family of the Derby locomotive works employee, known to many as George, has now launched a search for his former work colleagues who can help prove that his illness was due to asbestos exposure at work

Daphne, who now lives in Stourbridge in the West Midlands, said: "George began suffering from chest pains more than a year before being diagnosed with cancer.

"He had to undergo a series of tests, some of which were invasive and painful.

"These tests revealed that he had a type of lung cancer called mesothelioma which we were told is caused by being exposed to asbestos.

"The only time George could recall being exposed to asbestos was while working for the railway companies in Derby.

"Being diagnosed with mesothelioma was a huge shock to our entire family and George's death has devastated us all."

Mr Cotton is thought to have been exposed to asbestos dust while working as a locomotive engineer for London Midland and Scottish Railway Company, later known as British Railways, in Derby.

He was employed at the engineering works in Siddals Road, Derby, between 1935 and 1957 where asbestos was used as an insulation material on the locomotives.

When the engine was stripped down it caused clouds of asbestos dust to rise into the air, covering surrounding surfaces and the men working nearby.

Mr Cotton, who later moved from the city to Birmingham, worked on, and next to, the locomotives and it is believed that this is where he was exposed to asbestos.

Kim Barrett, from law firm Irwin Mitchell, is representing the Cotton family in their legal action.

She said: "It is vital in order to continue with this claim for compensation that people who have information concerning the working practices undertaken at the Railway engineering works on Siddals Road in Derby between 1935 and 1983 come forward."

Government company British Railways Board, which is responsible for dealing with all claims made by ex-employees of British Rail, has previously paid out compensation to former workers and their families who worked on the railways.

These included payouts, believed to be into six figures, made to two Derbyshire widows in January of last year. Their husbands died of asbestos-related lung cancer, one having spent 43 years as a coach fitter at the Locomotive Works in Derby.

Anyone who worked with Mr Cotton between 1935 and 1983 is asked to contact Kim on 0870 1500 100 or e-mail kim.barrett@irwinmitchell. com.