A WOMAN dying from skin cancer is appealing to other sufferers to come forward to help investigate her claim that there is a link between her illness and radiation levels from BNFL.

Lynn, who has asked just to be known by her first name, has lived close to the Springfield Plant, near Preston, for most of her life.

She believes a radiation leak from the site 30 years ago triggered the illness which has plagued her for 19 years.

Now the 54-year-old, from Darkinson Lane, Lea, and her friend Rosemary, who lives nearby in Lea Lane, are calling for an investigation into the possible leak and are calling on other people who feel they may have been affected to come forward.

Lynn said: "There was no warning to stay in-doors, but I do remember the plant workers being screened for high radiation levels at the time."

Lynn said she first noticed lumps on her legs when she was 35. Since then she has been in and out of hospital every year to have the deadly lumps removed.

She said: "In the last few years I have had five major operations -- for cervical endometriosis and tumours on my ovaries, two skin grafts and a hysterectomy.

"I can't work or live a normal life, my life has been so hard and so full of pain. I just think why me, year after year, day after day, and sometimes I want to end it all."

Spokesman for BNFL Angus Mackintosh has denied the suggestion that the plant could in any way be responsible for Lynn's cancer. He said: "BNFL's report on environmental discharges for the period 1971 to 1976 noted that at no time did disposal of radioactive waste at Springfield exceed authorised limits."

However, acting director of public health, Dr Sudell said: "The type of skin cancer is rare and is caused by ionising radiation. So you could say that if she has been exposed to high levels of radiation then this could be the cause."

Now Lynn has rallied the support of local councillors. Liberal Democrat leader Coun Bill Chadwick said: "I am making enquiries into setting up an investigation. We must help Lynn by finding out if there are other people in the same situation."