To self-employed plasterer Terry Williams, his business was his life. But exposure to asbestos fibres after years just doing his job would result in his life being cut tragically short at the age of 57.

Terry, who lived in Colwyn Bay with his wife Doreen, had worked at a range of commercial premises since he started plastering after leaving school at 15 and six years later, he had set up his own business.

But it was more than three decades later that he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure, and told he had around a year to live.

Having bravely lived with the painful condition, Terry died five days after Christmas 2007. He was one of 4,000 people each year to die from an asbestos-related disease.

Doreen said: "Terry wasn't dealing with asbestos every day like plumbers or builders were, but he obviously came into contact with it frequently enough to give him this.

"They had no idea of the risks in those days, and it seemed harmless enough.

"Terry's brother is a plumber, and it's made him and the people Terry knew in the building trade take notice," said Doreen, "They all know how dangerous asbestos can be now and none of them take any chances."

The fatal consequences of asbestos exposure are not seen immediately, and it can take decades for diseases like mesothelioma, which attacks the lining of the lungs, to take hold.

The couple had to cancel a holiday to Portugal in August 2006 after Terry was diagnosed with mesothelioma. The first sign was when he was experiencing back pains and a general loss of energy.

"He had a biopsy on his lungs which showed he had the disease. It was terrible for him, being told that he was going to die. He kept having to going into hospital to have his lungs drained, which was awful," said Doreen.

Such was the determination of Terry, his family and friends that they all rallied round to find out ways to fight the onset of the disease, but finally had to concede that it was incurable.

Terry also made some home improvements while he was still able to do them, including fitting a new bathroom in their home in Rhos on Sea.

"He wanted to make sure I was taken care of before he died. Terry was really brave, but I was the one who kept breaking down," Doreen said.

Many buildings, if built or refurbished before 2000, may contain asbestos which could pose a risk to today's tradespeople if it is disturbed. Doreen wants them and the people who employ them to understand the consequences of failing to deal with asbestos properly.

"I'd show youngsters working in the building trade today what it's like to watch someone with this disease die. They'd think carefully about the effect being exposed to asbestos could have on them. It's not worth taking a chance.

"What can you say to employers that make their staff work where asbestos is present? It makes me really annoyed when I hear of workers being exposed to asbestos."

The couple were married for 36 years and had many plans for their retirement, but those dreams and plans were shattered by asbestos.

Doreen now makes a point of going away for Christmas time because she can't bear to be anywhere familiar. The memories are too painful.

"He was such a big, strong man with broad shoulders. This disease wasted him away. By the time it had really set in, Terry needed injections just to give him an energy boost.

"He didn't live long enough to see those dreams through. The exposure to this substance has taken my husband away"