AN 89-year-old Hampshire man has died of asbestos-related disease a Winchester inquest has heard.

Peter Henry Sturgess, was a retired caretaker of Fairfax Court, Southampton.

The court heard that Mr Sturgess worked as a school caretaker for Southampton City Council from 1947 to 1985 and it is likely that he was exposed to asbestos from working with boilers clad with the material.

Pathologist, Mr Jeffrey Theaker, said Mr Sturgess died from a malignant mesothelioma and that asbestos was the likely cause.

Senior coroner Grahame Short said Mr Sturgess died of an industrial disease.