A former factory worker has urged others to have health checks after becoming the third member of his family to be diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer.

Dave Libby, 68, was told he would be dead by the end of last month after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Mr Libby worked with his father Harry and brother in law Bryan Thomas at Cape PLC in Tolpits Lane.

Both have since died from asbestos related conditions.

Mr Libby, who lived in Oxford Street, Watford, before moving to Milton Keynes, said it was only when Mr Thomas told him about his condition and urged him to get checked that he had an X-ray, which revealed the first signs of the disease.

Now terminally ill, Mr Libby is on chemotherapy to prolong his life.

The Watford FC supporter said: “I went to work with my dad at Universal, as it was called at the time, straight after school. I was trained up in moulding the wet asbestos into gas flue terminals for boilers.

“We weren’t given much equipment – just a plastic apron to wear when we handled the asbestos.

“I wish I never worked there, but you can’t turn back the clock.

“I want people not to go through what I’m going through and for anyone who had anything to do with the factory to get checked.

“At least, because of my brother in law telling me to get checked, doctors caught it at an early stage with me and I’ve been able to live a bit longer.”

Mr Libby has received compensation from Cape, where he worked for 11 years, for his illness.

Mr Thomas only worked at the company for three months.

Mr Libby continued: “How many other people worked there? Asbestos related lung cancer is a ticking time bomb. This stuff can be in your lungs but not appear for years.”

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung or peritoneum, and is caused by exposure to asbestos and can take 40 years or more to develop after exposure.

Mr Libby was represented by solicitors Fieldfisher, which has acted for more than 50 victims of asbestos disease who worked at the Cape Tolpits Lane factory.

Dushal Mehta, senior associate and specialist personal injury solicitor, said: "Mr Libby and his entire family have sadly been affected by the terrible asbestos legacy which remains in England and Wales.

Mr Libby contacted us after having been told the devastating news that he had mesothelioma, an asbestos related cancer.

He had for many years worked at an asbestos factory on Tolpits Lane in Watford which was owned and run by Cape Asbestos.

"We were able to pursue a claim for him against the insurers, secured an early admission of liability and managed to settle Mr Libby's claim within months of him contacting us.

"The way in which Mr Libby has come to terms with his diagnosis and the way he has tackled the illness is nothing short of admirable.

What is even more remarkable is that he has remained strong and positive despite also being told at around the same time that he was diagnosed with mesothelioma that his wife had signs of dementia and her condition was deteriorating.

"I would echo what Mr Libby has had to say about early diagnosis and awareness for the former employees, visitors and others living close to the factory who may have been exposed to asbestos.

"It is of course extremely important for those who suspect that they have been exposed to asbestos and are suffering with breathing difficulties to seek professional help as soon as possible.

"Tragically, and according to recent data released, the number of people diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos related illnesses continues to rise and has not yet reached its peak.

"This is due to companies like Cape who continued to expose people to this deadly substance despite knowing the long term dangers. "