A father who beat cancer twice died after getting the disease for the third time after he was exposed to asbestos.

Northfleet resident John Rogerson survived Hodgkin’s lymphoma and prostate cancer before passing away in June, weeks after his was diagnosed with incurable mesothelioma - which is contracted by breathing in asbestos fibres.

Now his wife Ann, 64, is appealing for help from Mr Rogerson’s former colleagues who may hold the answer to how he was exposed to the fibres.

The Galleon Mews resident is hoping to find anyone who worked with John at the Thames Mills in Northfleet between 1977 and 1987 as well as anyone who worked at the Dartford Paper Mill between 1990 and 2006.

The pair met in Mallorca 42 years ago and struck up a holiday romance. They married two years later.

She said: “When we got the news that he had mesothelioma it really floored us. John had always said cancer would get him in the end after surviving it twice before.

"Unfortunately, he was right. John was suffering from a bad back and we just put it down to his age and all of the lifting he had done over the years.

"He went up to see his mum at Christmas but didn’t feel well when he got home.

"What was even more shocking was how quick it was from him being diagnosed to him dying..." - Ann Rogerson

“He went to the doctor who sent him to hospital where he had a biopsy. We were all shocked when the results came through.

"What was even more shocking was how quick it was from him being diagnosed to him dying.

"He must have been going through the final stage but up until then he wasn’t particularly ill.

"Looking back he wasn’t himself but nobody expected this. It’s so sad as he only retired in the November before and he never got to enjoy himself.”

Mr Rogerson, who was originally from Manchester, would travel to meet Ann after their holiday romance, and was a “typical Mancunian”.

Andrew James, a lawyer at Hodge Jones & Allen which is representing Mrs Rogerson, said: “Mr Rogerson worked hard his whole life to support his family and was looking forward to a well-earned retirement when he received the news that he had contacted mesothelioma."

Anyone who worked with John can call 020 7874 8458.