The family of a man who spent nearly three decades in a Menston hospital have appealed for help to find out if his stay there caused his death.

John Gogan died in July aged 61, shortly after being diagnosed with mesothelioma – a lung disease caused by asbestos exposure.

For 27 years Mr Gogan, who suffered from schizophrenia, lived at High Royds Psychiatric Hospital and his family want to find out if he was exposed to the deadly fibre during this period.

His sister Betty Hutchinson, 60, is starting a legal bid against Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and wants witnesses who have information about work her brother took part in while at the hospital to come forward. He was first admitted aged 19 and left in 1996. He died in a Guiseley nursing home in July.

The hospital closed in 2003.

Mrs Hutchinson, of Meanwood, Leeds, said: “The buildings were very old and always seemed to be in a pretty poor state of repair.

“I was shocked by the diagnosis. I thought mesothelioma was an illness only plumbers and workmen were likely to get, not someone like John who had spent his whole life in a psychiatric hospital.

“We started looking at the dates and it looked like the only time he could possibly have been exposed was when he was a patient at High Royds.”

She contacted industrial disease lawyer Lesley Mynett, who has called for anyone with more information to get in touch.

Miss Mynett said: “Hopefully with the help of former staff and patients, his family can win their fight for justice and hold those they hold responsible to account.”

A spokesman for the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “From 1997 High Royds Hospital had asbestos surveys undertaken and asbestos removal works were then actioned by the regional health authority, which then owned the site.

“Asbestos is, and was, prevalent in many old buildings. Usually asbestos is in pipes and as lagging in ducts. This was the case at High Royds Hospital. Patients would not have needed access to these service areas.”

Anyone with information can call Lesley Mynett on 0844 854 3095 or e-mail lesley.mynett@fentons.co.uk.