An inquest into the death of a former painter and decorator has revealed he died due to exposure to asbestos.

Coroner Grahame Short heard that Leonard Newman, 82, would regularly be exposed to dust containing asbestos but “thought nothing of it at the time”.

Mr Newman died at home in Hamtun Crescent, Totton, on June 10.

Dr Short said: “I am satisfied that this was a death due to industrial disease and he died as a result of mesothelioma.”