A FORMER Hampshire pipe fitter died of cancer after years of asbestos exposure, an inquest heard.

Barrie Grinham, of Bowater Way, Calmore, was exposed to the toxic fibres after 22 years in boiler maintenance, Winchester Coroner’s Court was told.

In a statement written before his death in November, the 71-year-old said he was first exposed to asbestos during his 11 years with plumbing and electrical firm A. Bucketts and Sons.

Often working in schools, he used asbestos rope and cement to fill in gaps between boilers, the inquest heard.

Mr Grinham was also exposed to fibres working for Husbands Shipyard at the International Synthetic Rubber factory in Marchwood, the hearing heard. was told Mesothelioma, a cancer strongly linked to asbestos exposure, was diagnosed in 2014. after Mr Grinham reported feeling breathless. He responded “exceedingly well” to radiotherapy but Mr Grinham's condition declined in June 2015, the hearing heard. and he was moved transferred to Countess Mountbatten Hospice and where he died on November 10.

Senior central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of death due to industrial disease.