Scores of men across Gloucestershire have fallen victim to the biggest workplace killer – asbestos – and more are being killed every year, it has emerged.

New figures issued by the Health and Safety Executive revealed the scale of the problem, as it launched a new campaign to prevent further tragedies.

The statistics show that at least 1,462 men in the South West are known to have died since 1981 of mesothelioma, a cancer caused by breathing in deadly asbestos fibres, and the total is sure to be larger.

The two places with the highest death toll are Bristol, with 182, and Swindon, with 123.

Deaths in Gloucestershire include 22 in Cheltenham, 24 in Tewkesbury and 28 in the Cotswolds.

Every week, up to 20 tradesmen die in Britain from asbestos-related diseases, with the numbers increasing.

Most at risk are those most likely to damage or disturb asbestos, such as plumbers, electricians and joiners, and the HSE is targeting them with its "hidden killer" campaign.

Asbestos death inquests over recent months have included pipework factory worker Clive Staight, from Cheltenham, TV aerial fitter Brian Ratcliff, from Cirencester, and builder Thomas Welch, from Cheltenham.

Anyone working on a building that dates from before 1980 could be at risk without knowing it, and there are about 500,000 business properties around the UK that contain asbestos.

HSE South West head of construction, Andrew Kingscott, said: "Asbestos is Britain's biggest industrial killer.

"Contrary to what many people believe, the risks are not a thing of the past – asbestos-related illnesses claim the lives of 4,000 people every year, more than the number who die in road accidents.

"Research shows that many workers, particularly tradesmen, think that since asbestos was banned many years ago they are not at risk, but the reality is very different.

"Asbestos-related diseases can take hold decades after exposure, so it is essential that young tradesmen think about their health 20, 30 or 40 years from now.

"We want them to change the way they work so that they don't put their lives at risk.

"The most simple, but important, advice is, if you are not 100 per cent certain that there is no asbestos where you are working then don't start work – it is not worth the risk.

"Think of it as not just protecting yourself, but also protecting your family and loved ones from unnecessary heartache."

The HSE's £1.2 million campaign will see more than 500,000 information packs sent out and an advertising blitz.

The campaign is backed by trades unions, charities and victim support groups. TUC leader, Brendan Barber, said asbestos must not be written off as a 20th century problem.