HUNDREDS of people in West Dunbartonshire have died from asbestos cancer - one of the highest rates in the UK.

Alarming new figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show West Dunbartonshire is second highest for men and fourth for women.

The report on asbestos-related mesothelioma cancer mortality rates shows there were 2,544 deaths nationally from the terminal disease of the lining of the lung or abdomen between 1981 and 2020. That was up six per cent from the figures in 2019.

West Dunbartonshire saw 295 men die over nearly 40 years. But 81 would have been expected to lose their lives. That gives a figure of 363 under standardised mortality ratio (SMR) - the second highest in the UK after Barrow-in-Furness.

And 41 women lost their lives according to the figures - but it should have only been 17. That gives an SMR of 245, fourth i the UK after Barking and Dagenham, Sunderland and Newham.

The figures were a stark reminder of the legacy of decades of industry in the area and the generations of residents who worked in them.

SMR compares the actual mesothelioma deaths recorded w many people would be normally expected to die in a given area.

Earlier this year, there was a call by MPs for a 40-year deadline for removing all asbestos from public and commercial buildings across the country.

Adrian Budgen, a partner and asbestos-related disease specialist at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Sadly, we deal with many families affected by asbestos-disease and it’s important to remember that, behind these numbers, are real people and families who have been left devastated by the dreadful legacy of asbestos.

“It is the responsibility of all of us to do all we can by raising awareness and backing calls to remove all asbestos from public buildings, to ensure these figures finally start to fall.”

Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton constituency MSP, said: “It is worrying but unfortunately not surprising that West Dunbartonshire is so badly affected by asbestos-related deaths.

“The area is rich in shipbuilding heritage and this tragic legacy remains from a time when working with asbestos was common. Behind each of these figures is a person whose loss is mourned by their loved ones and, to that end, everything must be done to stop more people dying from mesothelioma.

Martin Docherty-Hughes, West Dunbartonshire MP, said: “Too many families in Clydebank and across West Dunbartonshire have had to suffer due to the impact of asbestos-related diseases.

“Asbestos may have been banned in the UK since 1999, but it continues to be the cause of hundreds of deaths every year across Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale.”