A RETIRED police constable who was diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer has joined forces with legal experts to call on his former colleagues to come forward and help him gain answers regarding how the illness emerged.

Douglas Darby, 69, from Millom, first developed symptoms including shortness of breath and fatigue in September 2016 and following a range of tests it was confirmed he had developed mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lung linked to asbestos exposure.

He instructed lawyers to investigate how he developed the illness and help him secure justice.

Now legal experts are appealing for information about the working conditions he would have faced when he was a postal worker at the General Post Office in Millom between 1965 and 1979, as well as during his time as a police constable at Sellafield from 1979 up until his retirement in 2009.

Kirstie Devine, a legal expert at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Our client is understandably devastated by his diagnosis but remains determined to do everything he can to learn more regarding how he came to develop the illness.

“We would be hugely grateful to anyone who may be able to provide information regarding the presence of asbestos at these two sites, as any such detail could be vital as we aim to secure funds which will support him in the coming months.”

Mr Darby’s role at the General Post Office involved a host of tasks including going to the boiler house at the rear of the building to rake the boiler and stock it up with coke.

After leaving the General Post Office, he then went on to work as a police officer for the UK Atomic Energy Authority at Sellafield.

He added: “My role at Sellafield involved undertaking various shifts in different parts of the power station and there was asbestos present both across the site and also within the police control centre where we worked out of.

“Having to battle this illness has been incredibly difficult and it is hard to take that it may have been caused by my work.

“I would be grateful to anyone who may be able to provide information which will help me gain justice regarding what I am currently going through.”

Anyone with information can contact Kirstie Devine at Irwin Mitchell on 0191 279 0136 or email kirstie.devine@irwinmitchell.com.