A MAN who was showered with blue asbestos during his work died as a result of his exposure to the dust, an inquest heard.

Harold Edward Longworth, aged 83, of Laurel Street, Bury, worked in the sheet metal industry.

In recording a verdict that his death was due to industrial diseases, Bury coroner Barrie Williams said the widower worked in the industry at a time when the dangers of asbestos were not fully recognised.

His daughter, Mrs Marion Crossley, of Whitburn Drive, Bury, said her father was exposed to asbestos in lagging and pipework.

Mr Longworth had three heart attacks in the 1980s and two years ago he had a stroke but the pain and discomfort he began to suffer in his side was diagnosed by a consultant at Bury General Hospital as asbestos-related mesothelioma.

He died in Fairfield Hospital on January 25, five days after being admitted.

A post mortem examination revealed asbestos fibres, confirming mesothelioma had been the cause of death.