A FORMER Basingstoke carpenter is appealing for help after he was diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer.

Martin Woodhouse, who now lives in Melbourne, Australia, was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, in September last year.

The 66-year-old claims he was exposed to the deadly building material when he worked as an apprentice carpenter from 1961 to 1966 with Musselwhite and Sons.

The building firm was based in Eastrop Lane, Eastrop, at the time and was taken over in the late 1960s.

Mr Woodhouse has now begun a legal claim and wants to speak to former colleagues.

In particular, he wants to track down anyone who can help trace who insured the company at the time of his employment.

David Easton, a specialist industrial disease lawyer with Leigh Day and Co, who is representing Mr Woodhouse, said: “Martin was just approaching retirement, and the diagnosis has been absolutely devastating for him and his family.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have worked with Martin, or has information about the company which may assist in our investigations, to contact us.”

The cancer is almost exclusively caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres, and symptoms of the disease can occur many years after inhalation.

Anyone with information can contact Mr Easton on 020 7650 1226, or email deaston@leighday.co.uk.