A SERIOUSLY ill former Greenock shipyard worker who was exposed to deadly asbestos 60 years ago is desperately appealing for help as he faces a fight for justice.

John McGartland Coupar, who is now aged 78, worked as a sweeper for a spell in George Brown George Brown & Co (Marine) Ltd’s as a teenager.

Like thousands of other workers from that era, he had no idea that the particles he was dusting up and breathing in were in fact lethal.

Two years ago John was shocked to be told by specialist doctors that he was suffering from asbestosis and pleural thickening, after taking ill with pneumonia.

But John fears that he faces a lengthy battle for compensation because of the length of time that has passed - and now that he has been told to prove he worked in the yard he is hoping that local people can step in to help him build a case.

John, who now lives in Solihull in England with his wife Stella, said: "I have been told that they do not hold records from before 1960.

"So I need to find people who may have worked there at the same time as me, or know someone who did.

"It really did come as a shock to me when I was diagnosed, after all these years.

"I had no idea.

"I have always suffered from chest infections and my wife was always telling me I didn't breathe properly.

"I worked in a betting shop for 45 years, so I thought it was all the smoke.

"I can't really go very far and I get out of breath now.

"I have to use a defibrillator, can't drive anymore and don't get out the house much."

John, who was brought up in Hamilton Street, still has close connections in Greenock, though many in his immediate family have passed away.

He said: "I was 18 years old when my uncle got me a job. He was a topper in the shipyard checking the rivets in all the plates.

“When the ships were being built there was always a lot of pipework on show and plumbers and pipe fitters were often hard at work lagging it.

“That kind of work created a huge amount of dust and it would often kick up into the air as I was sweeping. Throughout this time no masks or protective equipment were ever provided to protect us."

In his early 20s John decided to head for Birmingham where he settled and met Stella.

He made regular visits home to visit his family, including his late brother Robert, and spent time socialising in the Celtic Supporters' Club.

John added: “My illness has had a huge impact on my life and I am extremely frustrated by the notion that it developed as a result of a job I held many years ago.

"I feel I deserve answers about how this happened and why more was not done to protect me.

"It would be hugely appreciated if anyone with information which could help my case is able to come forward.”

Law firm Irwin Mitchell are now pursuing John's case.

Specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer Nicola McCartney said: “This is another terrible case in which the devastating consequences of asbestos exposure have become evident many years after the initial contact with the material is thought to have taken place.

“Through our work we have seen how asbestos has had a truly awful impact on a huge number of lives, often as a result of employers failing to provide adequate enough protection to keep workers safe from exposure.

“We are determined to help our client get answers regarding his illness and would be hugely grateful to anyone who can shine a light on the working conditions at the George Brown shipyard across the period in question.”

Irwin Mitchell Scotland can be reached on 0141 300 4355 or email nicola.mccartney@irwinmitchell.com