A widow, whose husband died after being exposed to asbestos fibres, is backing a new training initiative which aims to save the lives of young apprentices in Cheshire and Merseyside.

Jean Doyle hopes the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) scheme will help get the message across to thousands of trainee joiners, electricians, plumbers and other tradespeople about the dangers they face from asbestos.

Lecturers at six training colleges are being provided with a new pack of teaching materials for young apprentices. The initiative is being rolled out across Cheshire and Merseyside following a successful pilot.

Jean's husband, Dave, died from mesothelioma - a deadly lung disease - in 2006 after working as a joiner all his life. He was exposed to asbestos while using the material to make properties fire resistant.

She said: "Dave's death has had a devastating impact on our family. Young people need to realise the real cost asbestos can have on their lives.

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"Both our sons and grandson have followed Dave into the building trade so I've made sure they're aware of the dangers. Trainee apprentices need to know they're not immortal.

"I hope this new scheme will give them the confidence to say 'no' when they're out at work, if they're asked to work with asbestos. It may just look like dust but it's deadly."

Around 4,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases every year in Great Britain, making it the country's biggest workplace killer.

The new 'Introduction to Asbestos' learning package is aimed at young tradespeople who may come into contact with the material, which was often used for fireproofing or insulation, while carrying out their work.

The teaching materials include a video interview with Christopher Morgan, who died from mesothelioma in March 2010. The 58-year-old pipe fitter was exposed to asbestos fibres while repairing heating systems decades earlier. In the video, he urges young apprentices to take the threat of asbestos seriously.

David Gartside, HSE Board Member, said: "We're encouraging college lecturers to use our new learning package as part of their apprenticeship courses. I hope the video message from Christopher Morgan will make them realise asbestos is a genuine danger.

"Many young tradespeople believe that, because asbestos is no longer used in buildings, it's no longer a threat to them. But that simply isn't true. The material was widely used for fireproofing and insulation up until ten years ago, so there's every chance that they could come into contact with it."

(CD/KMcA)