NEARLY 10 per cent of London's asbestos-related deaths in the last 25 years have occurred in Lewisham or Greenwich.

A report released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shows there were 104 asbestos deaths in Lewisham and 119 in Greenwich between 1981 and 2005.

This makes them the eighth and ninth worst boroughs in the capital for such deaths out of a total of 2,663 in the capital.

Chris Morgan, a 58-year-old former pipe fitter from Lewisham, is now suffering from terminal cancer caused by working with asbestos.

His exposure happened after years of working in the Hatton Gardens area of Westminster.

He said: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting there are people still being exposed to this material. They need to learn what asbestos looks like.

"If they come across something that looks like it could be asbestos they should report it and not disturb it until they know for sure. It is best to be wrong and live than to take a chance and die.”

The report was published to help launch a new HSE campaign warning tradesmen of mesothelioma - the disease caused by asbestos.

Director for HSE London Stephen Williams said: “Asbestos is Britain’s biggest industrial killer. Contrary to what many people believe, the risks are not a thing of the past.

"Asbestos-related illnesses claim the lives of 4,000 people every year − more than die in road accidents."

He added: “The most simple, but important advice is, if you are not 100 per cent certain that there is no asbestos where you are working, then don’t start work. It is not worth the risk.

"Think of it as not just protecting yourself, but also protecting your family and loved ones from unnecessary heartache.”

Anyone working on a building that was built or refurbished before the year 2000 could be exposed to asbestos without even knowing.

In the UK, around 500,000 non-domestic buildings contain asbestos.

Every week across Britain around 20 tradesmen die from asbestos-related diseases and the numbers are increasing.

For more information on the campaign, visit hse.gov.uk/hiddenkiller