A FORMER Post Office worker breathed in deadly asbestos spores during mail collections at Southampton Docks, an inquest heard.

Malcolm Roshier, 77, of Summit Way, Midanbury, was a delivery driver for the Post Office and would collect mailbags contaminated with asbestos fibres from ships carrying the dangerous material.

He worked for the firm until 1972 and Mr Roshier was in good health before he deteriorated in 2006. Mr Roshier died in October last year.

Pathologist Dr Norman Carr, from Southampton General Hospital, said Mr Roshier suffered from malignant mesothelioma that affected the chest cavity.

Southampton coroner Keith Wiseman recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease.