AN appeal has been launched for ex-workmates of a man who died from asbestos-related cancer to come forward.

Anthony Minter was a building labourer for Grovers Contractors Ltd in Southwick from the early 1950s until his retirement in 1995.

His job involved helping tradesmen with tasks such as mixing cement, transporting goods and sweeping up building sites.

Mr Minter was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2014 and died three months later.

His family is now making a legal claim for compensation following his death.

They are urging people who knew Mr Minter and may have information about his working conditions to get in contact with the family’s solicitor.

Mr Minter’s son Anthony said: “Dad worked at Grovers all of his life and helped out on pretty much any job that needed him.

“We are therefore optimistic that at least one colleague or even a family member of a colleague, will remember him and have information detailing the conditions that my dad worked in.

“Losing Dad was incredibly hard for our family but if we can deduce the reason for his disease, we can at least have peace of mind.”

Helen Tomlin, from Thompsons Solicitors, said: “We are looking to trace people who worked for Grovers Contractors Ltd as well as anyone who may know the whereabouts of the owners of the company.

“We want to see whether asbestos was present in the building sites and materials that he used on sites around the Southwick area.”

Mr Minter, who later moved from Sussex to Bradford, fell ill in the summer of 2014.

He started becoming breathless and went for a CT scan, which revealed fluid on his lung.

While the fluid was later drained and he returned home, Mr Minter’s health deteriorated and he was diagnosed in the November of that year.

He died in February 2015 at the age of 84.

Anyone who knew Mr Minter and who may have more information about his workplace conditions, is asked to get in contact.

Call Ms Tomlin at Thompsons on 0113 2056385.