DOVES soared into the sky today at a ceremony paying tribute to those who have lost their lives to asbestos-related cancer.

Families and friends touched by the deadly disease gathered in the Mesothelioma Memorial Garden Queen's Park to mark National Action Mesothelioma Day.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that has been widely linked to past asbestos exposure, and affects the lining of the lungs.

The ceremony was organised by the industrial diseases team at town law firm Withy King to raise awareness of the increase in asbestos-related illnesses. This was also the launch of a new support group for patients and their families.

Mesothelioma is known as the ‘Swindon disease’ due to a lack of safety precautions at the Great Western Railway works and other local factories.

Cliff Lloyd died from Mesothelioma in 2012 aged 77, more than 30 years after working as a welder in Port Talbot, Swansea.

His widow Julien, who lives in Frome, attended the ceremony with her daughter Lisa Porter, and released the white doves.

Julien said Cliff's diagnosis came as a bolt out the blue.

“Cliff was my husband of 55 years, my love, my best friend. He was fit and healthy until industry ruined his health and he lost his life through no fault of his own. No-one should have to go through the pain that we did as a family," the 78-year-old said.

“It was emotional releasing those doves, Cliff is always with our family and very much in our memories.

“This support group will help us talk to others in similar situations, and we’re looking forward to meeting them.”

Dr Suzanne Bartington from Witney attended in honour of her late father Geoffrey who died from Mesothelioma in 2008. She said it was important to raise awareness of the deadly disease.

“My father was only 60 and he was fit and well until this happened. He worked at the General Post Office when he was 15 and was exposed to asbestos there. We could never have imagined that he would die from this,” she said.

“I want people to know the risks if this disease so less families have to go through what I can only describe as turmoil. My dad didn’t have a choice but we can stop this happening.”

Helen Childs, partner and specialist Mesothelioma solicitor, said the group would act as a forum so affected families could share their experiences.

“This is an awful situation to be in and unfortunately Swindon with its industrial history on the railways continues to see people be affected by the historic use of asbestos,” she said.

“The group will be able to give support to each other throughout what an unexpected, cruel and horrible illness.”

Meetings of the new group will take place at Bake n’ Roll Café, Unit 2, Empire House, Groundwell Road on the first Wednesday of every month. They will run from 2pm to 4pm.