A RETIRED welder died after developing lung cancer from decades of smoking and exposure to asbestos, an inquest heard.

Graham Irish spent most of his working life in welding, which saw him help demolish old buildings and work on vehicles as a mechanic, where he was exposed to asbestos.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard that the 67-year-old, from Upton Crescent, Nursling, had smoked cigarettes from the age of 16.

Pathologist Dr Hayley Burnley told the inquest that a combination of smoking and the asbestos exposure resulted in Mr Irish developing lung cancer.

Senior coroner Grahame Short concluded that Mr Irish died due to a combination of natural causes and industrial disease.