The widows of two stonemasons who died from a lung condition contracted during their work have warned of the dangers of “new asbestos”.

Paul Gray and Stuart Johnson, who worked for the same stone production companies in Bradford and Leeds, were diagnosed with silicosis caused by silica dust.

The Health and Safety Executive has described silica dust found in stone as the “single biggest risk to construction workers” after the notoriously toxic asbestos.

The families of Mr Gray and Mr Johnson have called on employers to do more to protect workers, as both men had told their solicitors that they had not been warned about the dangers they faced or given protective equipment.

Those most at risk of developing silicosis have inhaled large amounts of silica dust over a period of years.