A BIDEFORD man who is suffering from lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos is appealing for his former colleagues to help him get justice.

David Edwards, 70, from Bideford believes he was exposed to asbestos in 1976, when he worked on North Devon District Hospital building in Barnstaple.

He wants to take the matter to court and get compensation for his suffering, but he can't remember the name of the firm he was working for at the time.

He is hoping his former colleagues will come forward with details they remember.

Mr Edwards was able to cycle 10 miles a day until the end of last year when he started suffering from breathlessness.

He was surprised when it became difficult for him to walk out to his car without struggling for breath.

He said: "When I saw a doctor about my breathing difficulties in April, I was shocked.

"They told me I was suffering from asbestos-induced lung cancer and asbestosis. I just couldn't believe it — I was devastated."

He said during his time at the hospital he was employed by a company to install suspended ceilings and he fitted tiles made of asbestos.

He believes the asbestos fibres have got into his lungs and that is what has caused the asbestosis and lung cancer.

His solicitor, Susan Dawson, an industrial disease specialist with Fentons Solicitors is hoping his former work mates will come forward and confirm details of his case.

She said: "It takes many years after exposure to asbestos before any related disease becomes apparent, which can make finding witnesses and information about the employer very difficult.

"Unless we can locate the company he worked for, and prove that he was exposed to asbestos from the ceiling tiles, Mr Edwards may go uncompensated for the fact that he has developed this dreadful illness."

Anyone with information regarding the company or who was part of the construction team working on the hospital can contact Susan Dawson on 0844 854 3096 or e-mail susan.dawson@fentons.co.uk.