SEDGEMOOR has one of the highest rates of asbestos-related deaths in the South-West, new figures show.

According to research by the Health and Safety Executive, 49 men in Sedgemoor died from mesothelioma, caused by asbestos, between 1981 and 2005.

That figure is not exceeded anywhere else in Somerset, or in Wiltshire or Dorset.

The same figures show that 35 men died from mesothelioma in Mendip, 32 in Taunton Deane, 45 in South Somerset, and ten in West Somerset, while the figure for the entire South-West region was 2,437 deaths.

The HSE has released the figures to mark the launch of its Asbestos: the Hidden Killer campaign in the region.

The HSE says 20 tradesmen a week are dying from asbestos-related diseases, and that number is likely to rise. Jill Morrell, head of public affairs at the British Lung Foundation, said: “The HSE campaign is vital because research shows that only one in ten tradesmen know that exposure to asbestos can prove fatal.

"The asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma is a cruel disease which as yet has no cure. We must do all we can to prevent more people dying from this preventable disease."

The campaign is backed by former Premiership footballer Ian Wright. He said: "I used to be a plasterer before becoming a professional footballer, and was really surprised to learn that the number of deaths is actually on the increase year on year.

“If that was footballers dying, the whole of the premiership would be wiped out in just three months."

For a free information pack on the dangers of asbestos, phone 0845-3450055 or click on the link to the right of this story.