The widow of a labourer and silk factory worker who was diagnosed with fatal cancer, mesothelioma is trying to find out more information about her husband’s former employers.

Leonard Tong, sadly died aged 62, from mesothelioma after he was diagnosed with the asbestos related lung cancer just a month earlier.

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. There is no cure for the disease.

Mr Tong, who was born in Taunton but moved to Scunthorpe in 1982, worked as a labourer for a number of companies including Pearsalls Ltd, a silk factory based in Tankard St, Taunton from 1965 to 1966.

He also worked demolishing buildings for CS Williams from 1969 to 1971 and Stansell and Son from 1973 to 1977, both based in Taunton.

Pearsalls Ltd, CS Williams and Stansell and Sons, all based in Taunton

He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in May 2012 but very quickly became gravely ill. He instructed asbestos compensation specialists Thompsons Solicitors to investigate and his wife, Glynis, is now continuing the claim on his behalf.

Mrs Tong would like anyone who worked for Pearsalls, CS Williams and Stansell and Son, or can remember working with Leonard Tong, to get in touch with Thompsons Solicitors.

Mrs Tong said: “Losing Leonard has been heartbreaking. The cancer was so aggressive my husband had so little time to put his affairs in order.

“We know there may be people out there who remember working with him and will be able to provide us with information about his working conditions.”

Oliver Collett from Thompsons Solicitors said: “Mr Tong sadly died within weeks of his diagnosis. We are now working with his family to build up an accurate and detailed account of his working environment at Pearsalls Ltd, CS Williams and Stansell and Sons, all based in Taunton. We would like to speak to anyone who remembers working at Pearsalls, CS Williams and Stansell and Son, whether they worked with Mr Tong or not, so we can establish a clear picture of the conditions he worked in.”

Anyone with information should contact Oliver Collett on 08000 224 224 or email enquiries@thompsons.law.co.uk.