THE family of a victim of an asbestos-related disease is appealing to his former Cinderford colleagues to come forward and help in support of their legal battle for compensation.

Roger Alan Dutton, 47, of Evesham, died from mesothelioma, the cancer related to exposure to asbestos, on May 8, 2006.

He was employed by Evesham-based A H Manser Ltd. One of his jobs was to re-paint asbestos-lagged pipes at the Rank Xerox factory at Mitcheldean around 1980.

Mr Dutton's family said: "He told us of his time working at the Cinderford factory and that strikes us as being a logical location for him to have contracted what developed into the disease we later discovered was mesothelioma.

"He suffered greatly from this terrible disease and it took him away from us prematurely."

Iain Shoolbred, from the Birmingham office of law firm Irwin Mitchell, is representing Mr Dutton's family. He said: "We are appealing for Mr Dutton's former colleagues to come forward to assist us with our enquiries.

"Any information from former colleagues about Mr Dutton and his work for A H Manser and at Rank Xerox would be of great assistance in attempting to obtain some recompense for his family."

Anyone who is able to provide information should contact Iain Shoolbred at Irwin Mitchell solicitors on 0870 1500 100 or email iain.shoolbred @irwinmitchell.com