A RETIRED Hampshire ship worker died from asbestos exposure after more than 25 years in shipbuilding, an inquest heard.

Frederick Allen, 80, of Sherley Green, Bursledon, inhaled the deadly fibres while working as a plumber’s mate for Vosper Thorneycroft, Winchester Coroner’s Court was told.

He joined the firm in 1973, fitting and repairing pipes which had been lagged with asbestos on ships including HMS Southampton.

Mr Allen’s breathing had suffered in recent years after retiring in 1999.

Doctors confirmed last year that asbestos exposure had damaged his lungs, and he died in Southampton General Hospital on April 2. A verdict of death due to industrial disease was ruled.