A FORMER mechanical engineer died from cancer caused by exposure to a dangerous substance at work, an inquest heard.

Richard Ferguson, of Water Lane in Totton, worked for Esso for 38 years where asbestos was frequently used during building.

His brother-in-law Michael Burbidge, of Ringwood Road in Totton, said he was surprised to learn it was being used by the company in 1972 despite a similar business banning it four years previously.

He told the inquest: “I said to him to be careful. A lot of people didn’t have masks or anything on.”

In a report Dr Hayley Burnley, consultant histopathologist at Winchester’s Royal Hampshire County Hospital, said Mr Ferguson died from bronchopneumonia due to mesothelioma. The 89-year-old died at Romsey Hospital on January 9.

Deputy coroner for central Hampshire, Simon Burge, ruled death by industrial disease. Mr Ferguson’s family said they were not taking legal action.