Widower calls for information on death

Christine Webster, from Minsterley, near Shrewsbury, was 61 when she died of mesothelioma in June 2015, just 12 months after being diagnosed with the disease.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive, and terminal, form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

Following Christine’s death, her husband Stanley, 70, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers Irwin Mitchell to investigate how she came into contact with the deadly fibres.

As part of their work, they are now keen to hear from anyone at trouser manufacturer E Walter (Ludlow) Ltd’s Bishop’s Castle factory between 1983 and 1987.

Kim Barrett, an expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Stanley, said: “Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive, and sadly, terminal cancer caused by asbestos exposure decades before symptoms develop. We often see cases like Christine’s where victims were unaware they were battling mesothelioma until the very end of their lives.

“As a result they are sometimes unable to provide exact details of how and where they came into contact with asbestos, often leaving their loved ones with unanswered questions.

“The first Asbestos Regulations, to manage the use of asbestos because of its danger to health, became law in 1931, so to learn that people were exposed to the fibres much later is very upsetting for the individuals or the families who come to us.

“We are working to gain a better understanding of how Christine was exposed to asbestos and prior to her death she revealed her belief that the material was present at the site of E Walter (Ludlow) Limited.

“Nothing can of course bring Christine back, but we would be hugely grateful if anyone with more information regarding this could help us try and get Stanley the answers he deserves.”

Stanley revealed that his late wife had talked about how pipework at the factory was lagged with asbestos, while the trouser presses and ironing boards used also had asbestos surfaces.

Stanley said: “Losing Christine was incredibly difficult and it was particularly hard to see how the mesothelioma affected her in the final few months.

“The whole family are now just desperate to know how she came to be affected by the cancer and if anyone who worked with her could come forward it would be massively appreciated.

“Any information could be hugely important in helping us in our search for answers and justice.”

Anyone with any information about working conditions at E Walter (Ludlow) Limited during the 1980s is asked to contact Kim Barrett on 0121 214 5211 or email kim.barrett@irwinmitchell.com.