The widow of a Nottingham joiner, who died unaware that he was suffering from cancer, is urging his former colleagues to come forward with information on how he might have been exposed to asbestos at work.

Roy Morris died aged 61-years-old. The cause of death was only established at post-mortem, where it was confirmed that he died from mesothelioma, a fatal asbestos-related cancer.

An image of a younger Roy Morris on a field holding a dog

Mesothelioma is a cancer associated with the inhalation of asbestos and often takes in excess of 40 years for symptoms to develop after exposure. According to the Health and Safety Executive, mesothelioma killed 2,446 people in Great Britain in 2018.

Mr Morris’s family believes he was exposed to the deadly fibres as a result of his profession.

He worked for Ronald Simmons Limited of Carlton, Nottingham, as an apprentice and qualified joiner from 1973 until 1979. He then took a role at WM Davis & Co in Loughborough in 1979 and George Wimpey & Co in 1980 before becoming self-employed in 1981.

Just four months before he died, Roy was still working six days a week as a joiner.

Roy's wife, Linda

Mr Morris died before even knowing that he was suffering from mesothelioma, but his wife, Linda, is determined to trace the cause of her husband’s cancer and is calling on anyone who worked with him between 1973 and 1980 to get in touch.

She said: “It was awful seeing my husband, who was such a fit and active man, deteriorate from this disease. Just four months before he died, Roy was still working six days a week as a joiner. Sadly, he was never aware of his mesothelioma diagnosis. It would be a comfort to find out what caused him to become so ill and to hold those who are responsible to account.

“If any of Roy's former colleagues have any information at all about the use of asbestos, however small or unimportant you may think it is, please get in touch, we would really like to hear from you. It could be the missing piece of the puzzle we need."

Mr Morris’s family is being supported by Thompsons Solicitors, who paved the way for asbestos litigation in the UK ever since it brought about the first successful asbestos disease claim to the House of Lords in 1972. As a point of principle, Thompsons only represents workers and their families who have developed asbestos diseases and never acts for employers or insurance companies. It is also one of a handful of specialist firms in the UK to be a member of the Mesothelioma UK Legal Panel in recognition of its expertise.

Neil Baines, of Thompsons Solicitors who is supporting the family, said: "Sadly, Roy's story highlights how asbestos exposure decades ago is still devastating the lives of families today. Linda and her family are struggling to understand what caused Roy's illness. We hope that by speaking to Roy's former colleagues, we can answer some of those questions.”

Anyone with information should contact Neil Baines at Thompsons Solicitors on 0115 989 7209 or email NeilBaines@thompsons.law.co.uk.