A BRAVE retired electrician who contracted cancer after a working life at Agecroft Power Station fought his illness to the end, an inquest heard.

After being diagnosed with mesothelioma, brought on by exposure to asbestos at the power station, Albert Starkie underwent a serious of pioneering treatments.

But at Bolton Coroner's Court, Senior Coroner Timothy Brennand heard how the progression of the disease could not be halted and 74-year-old grandfather Mr Starkie died in Bolton Hospice on October 11 last year, just 10 days after being admitted.

"It is clear to me that this was a man who was fighting to give his family as much time as the disease which he suffered from would permit," said Mr Brennand.

He commented that, just days earlier, Mr Starkie had been on a trip to Chester Zoo.

The court heard that Bolton-born Mr Starkie had become an electrician after leaving school and an apprentice at Agecroft Power Station, where he worked for 32 years until it closed in 1994.

"It was while working here that Albert was exposed to asbestos which ultimately led to his death," said Mr Brennand.

After his retirement in 2010 Mr Starkie, of Ivy Bank Road, Sharples, enjoyed travelling, playing crown green bowls and golf and spending time with his wife, Susan, and three sons, Andrew and Michael, who are both doctors and David, a landscape architect.

In a statement, Mrs Starkie said: "Albert was dedicated to his children and grandchildren. He was an easy-going and loving man and true gentleman.

"Although he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2018 he was an optimist and never wanted to talk about his illness.

"I feel as though I have been robbed of my husband, to an extent, as he was taken too early due to this disease."

The court heard that, in his time at the power station, Mr Starkie worked in areas where pipes were lagged with asbestos.

After his diagnosis he underwent trial therapies in a bid to slow the disease's progression.

Recording a conclusion that Mr Starkie died as a result of industrial disease, Mr Brennand commented that he was "a brave individual who was wanting to show real courage in the face of this medical adversity."