YORK'S asbestos timebomb claimed a record number of lives in 2004, campaigners revealed today.

Former York carriageworks worker Stephen Skelton, of Paddock Close, Wilberfoss, was confirmed as the eighth victim to succumb to the deadly disease last year, at an inquest into his death.

Mr Skelton, 55, worked as a coachbuilder at the Holgate Road site from 1964 until 1980, when he became an engineering lecturer at York College.

In the early years, he had been heavily exposed to asbestos dust, and even used to throw "snowballs" made of the deadly substance.

Trades unionist Paul Cooper, a former carriageworks employee and campaigner on behalf of asbestos victims, told the Evening Press that the toll of eight deaths in 2004 probably made it the worst year yet. "It's very disturbing," he said.

He said the high number of deaths might reflect a growing national trend, which was not expected to peak until 2010 to 2020.

York coroner Donald Coverdale told the inquest that Mr Skelton died in York Hospital on September 16, 2004, from the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma.

In a statement made before his death, Mr Skelton said that the deadly blue asbestos "settled on the surface of everything" in the workshop during his early years, but workers were given no safety equipment like face masks.

"We did not know it could cause lung disease," his statement said.

Mr Coverdale told the inquest: "He (Mr Skelton) joins a long list of York men who have worked at the carriageworks and suffered these unpleasant diseases."

He recorded a verdict of death from the industrial disease mesothelioma.

Mr Skelton's widow, Pat, attended the inquest. She had previously told the Evening Press how the tragedy had deprived her of enjoying a retirement with her husband, and deprived his son, Nigel, 25, and daughter, Dinah, 28, of a loving father.

Mr Skelton was a keen angler and supporter of York City Football Club. He fell ill in October 2003.

Legal action in relation to his death is under way.

Stuart Marshall, the son of Tang Hall victim Albert Marshall, 89, has called for the names of all the victims to be inscribed on Holgate Arch, a 16ft tall steel sculpture put up at Holgate Park last year to commemorate the carriageworks.

Updated: 11:54 Saturday, May 28, 2005