A WIDOW who believes she was exposed to asbestos decades ago while washing her husband’s clothes is appealing for his former workmates to come forward with information.

Annie Place, known as Nancy, who is 85 and lives in Pudsey, hopes people who worked with her husband Rowland when he was a maintenance man will get in touch with details about their working conditions.

Mrs Place has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs, and has instructed asbestos experts at law firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate her case.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to people developing mesothelioma in later life. The disease is caused by inhaling asbestos dust and it can take years for symptoms to appear.

Mr Place, known as Rowly to his friends, died 11 years ago, aged 78, from lung cancer after more than 50 years of marriage.

He had worked as a French polisher and shop fitter for various employers when the couple first met, and later worked as a maintenance man for Executex, also known as Black & Luper, a tailoring factory in Kirkstall Road, Leeds, from 1962 to 1971.

After that he went on to work as a machine operator at Howson Aligraphy, which over the years was also known as Eastman Colour, DuPont and Vickers, in Leeds from 1971 to 1989.

Solicitors acting for Mrs Place want to speak to some of Rowland’s former colleagues, from any of his former jobs, to find out about his working conditions and to try and establish where he may have come into contact with asbestos.

Ian Toft, an expert in asbestos-related disease cases at Irwin Mitchell, who is acting for Mrs Place, said: “We would like to hear from Rowland’s former colleagues as they may have additional information about the presence of asbestos and working conditions that could help in Nancy’s legal battle.”

The grandmother-of-two said: “When I was told my diagnosis, I was distraught, but knowing the cause of my illness may be due to Rowly’s former employers is a particularly bitter pill to swallow. I lost him due to lung problems 11 years ago and now I’m suffering from similar issues.

“I’m hoping his former colleagues will get in touch as they may have extra information that could help in my battle for justice.”

Anyone who thinks they may be able to help should contact Ian Toft on 0113 218 6453 or email Ian.Toft@irwinmitchell.com