A pensioner who came in to contact with asbestos dust while working as a joiner died as a result of industrial disease, a Coroner has ruled.

Norman Sampson, 79, of Sherwell Rise, Allerton, Bradford, started working with a building company after leaving school, at a time when asbestos was a common building material, an inquest in Bradford heard yesterday.

Mr Sampson developed breathing difficulties two years before his death in February this year and two days before he died was diagnosed with mesothelioma. A post-mortem examination, carried out by Dr Faisal Ali, found Mr Sampson had died from pneumonia caused by mesothelioma, the inquest was told.

Bradford Coroner Peter Straker recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease.