Northampton man with incurable asbestos cancer appeals to former factory colleagues for help
Paul Martin was diagnosed with mesothelioma after working at a plastics factory and on two demolition sites
A man from Northampton with an incurable cancer linked to asbestos is appealing to his former colleagues for help.
Paul Martin, who is 73, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October 2025.
The cancer is caused primarily by exposure to asbestos.
He now wants to hear from people he worked with, as lawyers investigate where he may have come into contact with it.
Where he worked
Paul was based at the PEC Plastics factory in Northampton between 1979 and 1986, where he recalls working on rubber processing.
He believes he may have encountered asbestos while working on the machinery used to extrude rubber.
After leaving PEC Plastics, records show Paul also worked on the demolition sites of the Burlington Shoe Factory and the Barclaycard building in Northampton during the 1990s.
He believes it is possible he may have been exposed to asbestos on these jobs too.
His diagnosis
Having since retired, Paul began experiencing symptoms including breathlessness, dizziness and fatigue in late 2025.
Within weeks, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.
He is continuing to receive treatment.
Following his diagnosis, Paul and his family approached asbestos team lawyers at Leigh Day to investigate his case.
The appeal
Leigh Day solicitor Jess Pittman, who represents Paul, said:
"Paul believes he may have been exposed to asbestos while working at the PEC Plastics factory. We are keen to hear from anyone who worked at the factory at the same time, carried out a similar role, or has any information about working conditions there. Any information, no matter how small, could make a major difference to our investigation and help provide Paul and his family with the answers they deserve.
"We would also like to speak to anyone involved in the demolition of the Burlington Shoe factory or the Barclaycard buildings during the 1990s. Their recollections may help us established where Paul was exposed to asbestos."
Anyone with information can contact Jess Pittman by email on [email protected] or call 020 7650 1200.