THE family of a former shipyard electrician who died of asbestos-related cancer are calling on his former workmates in Rosyth to come forward and help them gain answers regarding his death.

Andrew Slorance passed away aged 75 in April 2003 shortly after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

The cancer of the lining of the lung is commonly associated with exposure to asbestos materials.

His death has had a huge impact on his wife, Barbara, and their children, Jill and Neil.

Now, 16 years on from his death, his family have found the strength to investigate how Andrew came to develop mesothelioma and whether it may be linked to his work at the naval shipyard in Rosyth.

Barbara Slorance, 85, of Whitley Bay, was married to Andrew for 44 years.

She said: “The whole family was devastated when Andrew passed away and it affected us all very badly.

“It has taken a very long time for us to get into a position where we felt comfortable trying to get answers regarding what Andrew faced and we would be hugely grateful to anyone who might be able to shed light on the work he did at Rosyth."

Legal experts are seeking more information regarding the working conditions he would have faced while employed by the Ministry of Defence at Rosyth Dockyard from 1943 to 1954, initially as an apprentice electrician and then as an electrician.

As such, they would be keen to hear from anyone who recalls working with Andrew during his period, as well as those with general information regarding the environment at the time in question.

Roger Maddocks, partner and asbestos expert at the Newcastle office of Irwin Mitchell, who represents Andrew’s loved ones, said: “Barbara, Jill and Neil have faced an incredibly difficult time in the past few years and it has been very hard for them to come to terms with their loss.

“They have shown tremendous strength by seeking to gain answers as to how the illness which led to Andrew’s death was caused and we would be hugely grateful to anyone who may be able to help us in our efforts.

“Any information regarding the working conditions at Rosyth Dockyard could make a huge difference to this case.”

An MoD spokesperson said: “We take health and safety extremely seriously and are committed to providing a safe working environment for our employees. We are unable to comment on individual cases.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Amber Price at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office on 0191 279 0111 or email amber.price@irwinmitchell.com