The widow of a former labourer who died from an asbestos-related cancer is appealing for anyone who worked with him to help her.

Wendy Shepherd has instructed specialist lawyers to help her gain justice over her husband Bill’s death. Mr Shepherd died last August at the age of 67, only three months after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

The couple, from Broadbridge Heath, near Horsham, had been married for 42 years.

Mrs Shepherd, 64, has asked lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help with her legal battle, and is asking for any former colleagues from the 1960s and 1970s to get in contact.

Mr Shepherd worked for Hoad & Taylor (Builders) in West Sussex as a driver from 1966 until 1974. From 1974 to 1981 he worked for the building company Lovells.

Before his death, Mr Shepherd specifically recalled unloading corrugated asbestos sheets to sites, clearing up debris following a fire at Farlington School, near Horsham, and undertaking demolition work at Ockley Brickworks in Surrey.

Mrs Shepherd said: “The whole family is still trying to come to terms with Bill’s death and we miss him so much.

“It was so incredibly hard to see him go through what he faced in his final few months and now we just want to know more about how he came to suffer this terrible illness.

“I would urge anyone who might have any information to come forward, as we simply want to understand how he was exposed to asbestos and also to ensure that we gain justice regarding his death.”

Helen England, of Irwin Mitchell, said: “This is another terrible case in which a former construction worker has gone on to develop mesothelioma in later life, often as a result of exposure to asbestos during work undertaken decades earlier.

“We would urge anyone who worked with Bill during the late 1960s to early 1980s to come forward with any information they have about working conditions and those two specific projects in particular.

“Any detail will be important in helping us to provide vital answers to his family and also determining what measures were in place to protect employees at this time.”

Anyone able to help should call Ms England on 0207 421 3896 or email helen.england@irwimitchell.com