THE FAMILY of a Bury man who died from asbestos-related cancer is appealing for help.

Edward Gardner was a painter and decorator working in Manchester and a Little Hulton factory who developed mesothelioma.

The disease lead to his death last year aged 85 and his son John has now issued an appeal to find his former colleagues.

He said: “My dad’s diagnosis was a horrible shock for our family.

“I cannot describe the pain we went through when we discovered that his illness was caused by asbestos dust. It’s just not something you would ever expect to happen to a loved one and his death has left our family seeking answers as to why this happened in the first place.”

Edward, who lived in Bury, worked at Wilsons Brewery in Manchester, which was owned by Watney Mann Limited, from approximately 1955 to 1976.

He then joined Beecham Foods Limited’s Little Hulton factory, working there roughly between 1976 and 1993.

Mr Gardner is urging anyone who worked with his dad at the brewery or Beecham to come forward if they have information about the workplace or working conditions that could support the family in making an asbestos disease compensation claim.

He added: “He spent most of his career at those two firms, which I hope will increase our chances of speaking with someone who can give us more information and greater clarity about the conditions he worked in.

“We would be incredibly grateful to anyone who is able to help us with this.”

Mr Gardner’s family, who now live in Leigh, is being supported in the claim by Thompsons Solicitors.

Solicitor Alison Barnard said: “It is important that we are able to speak with former colleagues of Edward, or anyone else who worked at either Wilsons Brewery or Beecham Foods Limited, to shed some light on the working conditions at the time.

“Hopefully this will help John and his family come to terms with the reason for their loss.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Alison at Thompsons Solicitors’ Manchester office on 0161 819 3512.