The widow of a man who died after being exposed to asbestos at work is appealing for his former work colleagues at a Bradford textile mill to come forward.

Kenneth Cooper, 62, was diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos in 2006.

He died on November 14, 2007, and an inquest found he had died of industrial disease.

Mr Cooper was exposed to asbestos while working at Woolcombers Ltd in Bradford in the late 1960s, according to trade union law firm OH Parsons.

Now his widow, Margaret, of Outlands Rise, Apperley Bridge, is seeking her husband’s former colleagues who can assist in a compensation claim.

Mr Cooper carried out maintenance work on pipework lagged with asbestos at Woolcombers. He was never warned of the dangers of asbestos and was exposed to asbestos dust without being provided with a mask, said lawyer Paul Meehan, industrial disease specialist at OH Parsons.

“Ken’s family has been left devastated by what has happened,” said Mr Meehan.

Mrs Cooper said her husband had mentioned a former colleague called Geoffrey Walker, of Skipton, whom she believes was also diagnosed with the disease.

“I don’t know whether he is deceased or not,” she said.

“This has been going on a long time and while most people can grieve and move on I have not been able to move on while this is still hanging over my head.”

Anyone who can help should contact Mr Meehan on (0207) 395 8560 or 07554 451918.

Woolcombers Group PLC was dissolved in March last year, according to Companies House.

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