Father-of-two Dennis Beddoes, aged 70, from Stainforth, sought medical help last November after developing a persistent cough and hoarse voice.

He was diagnosed with cancer in both lungs which doctors believe is connected to asbestos exposure.

Mr Beddoes worked for Richard Dunston Shipyard of Thorne for 25 years from September 27 1955 when he began as an apprentice driller, to 1980 when he was made redundant.

The shipyard no longer exists and he is hoping to take action against their insurers.

He carried out drilling work in the engine rooms of ships being built at the yard at the same time as the exhaust systems of the boats were being lagged with different asbestos.

"I was in the engine room virtually every day of my working life at Dunstons," Dennis said.

"We would be building more than one ship at a time and I used to work my way down the canal from ship to ship. It would take between one-and-a-half and two hours to fit the floors in the engine rooms. I was therefore exposed to the asbestos dust virtually every day."

As well as working in an asbestos dust-filled environment, the buildings at the shipyard were made of asbestos and, while drilling, Mr Beddoes wore asbestos gloves which left a white powder on his hands.

Personal injury specialist Neil Pratt, an expert in industrial and asbestos related illnesses, said: "This is a terrible illness which is putting Dennis and his family under a lot of stress and strain.

"Dennis was exposed extensively to asbestos during his time at the shipyard and we desperately need to contact his former co-workers in order to support and progress his claim.

"Dennis worked for the shipyard for 25 years, the main part of his working life, and asbestos-related cancer is a high price to pay for it just when he should have been enjoying a long and healthy retirement with his family."

n If you are an ex-Richard Dunston Shipyard colleague of Dennis Beddoes contact personal injury law specialists Neil Pratt or Tony Henshaw on 01405 813108.