A BISHOP’S Waltham man died from industrial disease, an inquest heard.

Keith Chester, of St Bonnet Drive, was 79 years old when he died at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital on February 2.

Mr Chester joined the Royal Navy in 1950 and served for 12 years. In an email to the assistant coroner, Ms Sarah Whitby, his son Ian Chester said that this was where he came into contact with asbestos. The inquest, held in Winchester on yesterday, also heard that Mr Chester may have been in contact with asbestos during his time as an engineer with Vosper Thorneycroft.

A post-mortem report showed that he died from a combination of mesothelioma and bronchopneumonia, likely the result of exposure to asbestos. Ms Whitby recorded a verdict of death to industrial disease.