A MAN who was exposed to asbestos for more than a decade during his working life later developed lung cancer as a result and died, an inquest was told.

John Howard, of Station Road, Blackrod, was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a disease often linked to asbestos, last year, Bolton Coroners Court was told.

There is no cure for the condition and he received radiotherapy and chemotherapy to help his symptoms, but continued to deteriorate.

When medical intervention stopped Mr Howard improved and managed to enjoy his hobbies, line dancing and bell ringing, during the last months of his life.

He was admitted to Bolton Hospice on April 23, and died five days later, aged 58.

His brother, Leslie Howard, speaking after the inquest, said: “He was a fighter, he did as much as he could in the last two months of his life, which was fantastic.

“He is sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”

Mr Howard worked as a wood machinist and was exposed to asbestos contained in the lagging of a boiler where he worked between the late 1960s and early 1980s.

He became unwell in April last year, with doctors suspecting a chest infection then discovering mesothelioma.

A post-mortem examination found asbestos particles in his lungs.

Assistant deputy coroner, Peter Watson, recorded a verdict of death caused by industrial disease.