A CORONER has warned there could be thousands of people with an asbestos 'timebomb' ticking away inside them.

Michael Singleton made the warning as he recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease at the inquest of an 86-year-old man who was exposed to asbestos during his working life.

Today the national GMB union backed up the coroner's claims and said many people who had been exposed to asbestos dust will go on to develop diseases.

The inquest heard Donald Gillan, of St Anne's Court, Low Moor, Clitheroe, was diagnosed as having a mesothelioma in 2001 after he discovered a lump in his chest.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, in which cancer cells are found in the sac lining the chest.

His wife Doreen said claims against IWH Howson Ltd and ITT Consumer Products Ltd had been settled since his death.

She said her husband had a number of jobs which exposed him to asbestos. Recording a verdict of death by industrial disease, Mr Singleton said in years gone by there was no awareness of asbestos risks.

"We have seen a great many deaths as a result of this disease in recent years," said Mr Singleton. "I hope we have reached the peak but my fear is that there may be many, many thousands of people totally unaware of the timebomb ticking away inside them."

John McClean, GMB's national health and safety officer, said: "The problem with asbestos-related diseases is they have a very long gestation period, anything from 30 to 50 years.

"Many people who have only recently been diagnosed with diseases like mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos as part of their jobs many years ago in the 40s, 50s and 60s.

"There are still young people now, working on building sites and in old houses who are being exposed to asbestos and could go on to suffer these illnesses."

Mr McClean said anyone worried should go to their GP to arrange a chest X-ray.

He also urged them to contact the GMB's regional offices that keep registers of people who think they may have been exposed to asbestos.