Grieving family's appeal to work colleagues after mum died of asbestos-related cancer

Iris Armstrong, who lived in Fencehouses, Houghton, was diagnosed with mesothelioma – a cancerous tumour that is caused by inhaled asbestos fibers – in April 2018.

Sadly, she died just over a year later aged 82.

Now her grieving family are looking for answers on where Iris was exposed to the asbestos which ultimately led to her death.

They are appealing to former colleagues employed at the clothing factory N Hyers Ltd, later known as Bairdwear, to come forward with any information about the possible presence of asbestos on the site.

Mrs Armstrong’s daughter, Lisa Clennell, said: “It was incredibly sad seeing my mam’s health deteriorate so quickly.

“We are keen to shed a light on this issue – not only to find answers for my mam, but to see if anyone else has been affected in our community.”

Mrs Amrstrong joined the Fencehouses-based firm as a machine operator in 1968 and rose through the ranks to become manager.

In this role, she would visit the boiler room to chase up maintenance workers, who would be working on steam pipes. It was here that her family believe she was likely exposed to deadly asbestos dust.

Her family, and the legal team acting on their behalf, claim that throughout her employment at the factory, Mrs Armstrong was never warned of the dangers of asbestos in her workplace.

Now, her family is hoping to contact her former colleagues and other employees to help piece together any more details about her exposure to possible asbestos at work.

Heather Ruddick, asbestos disease solicitor at Thompsons, said: “Asbestos is a deadly killer and we have seen first-hand the impact this toxic dust can have on communities across the UK.

“We are appealing for any individuals employed by clothing manufacturer N Hyers Ltd, later known as Bairdwear, in Fencehouses to come forward with details about the presence of asbestos in the clothing factory to help Mrs Armstrong’s family obtain the closure they deserve.”

If you have any information to support this appeal, contact Heather Ruddick on 0191 2690449.

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