A HAMPSHIRE pensioner died from asbestos exposure after washing her husband's work clothes, an inquest heard.

Retired shop assistant Kathleen Jarvis from Chandler's Ford died of the same disease as her late husband, Winchester Coroner's Court heard.

Mrs Jarvis, widow of Frederick Jarvis, died at Challoner House Care Home on Winchester Road on December 8 last year.

The 93-year-old had been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma - cancer in the lining of the lung.

In a statement read to the court written prior to her death, Mrs Jarvis said her husband worked at Southampton docks from 1949 to around 1988 and she used to wash his clothes in the bathroom sink.

"Fred told me that the asbestos was wrapped in flimsy material," she said.

"Fred told me that so much asbestos would be flying around that it would look like it was snowing.

"He would come home from work and be covered in asbestos dust from head to foot."

Central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short recorded a conclusion of death by industrial disease.