A MINER who started work in Burnley pits at the age of 14 died from lung problems.

A combination of problems including miners' dust disease caused the death of Clifford Gotthardt an inquest in Burnley was told.

Mr Gotthardt, 81, lived in Rosehill Road, Burnley.

His widow, Mary, told the inquest her husband had started work at Towneley Colliery at the age of 14, served in the armed forces for six years during the war and returned to the pit in 1946.

After it closed the following year he transferred to Bank Hall Colliery, Burnley, where he worked until 1967.

Mrs Gotthardt said she was increasingly worried by his breathing problems and he left the pit to become a postman.

Later he worked part-time up the age of 73 as a vehicle valet.

His breathing became worse. He couldn't lie down in bed but had to sit up using four pillows and couldn't stay in the lounge if the fire was on.

Mrs Gotthardt was once taken into Bank Hall pit. "When you walked it was swirl of dust, you could not credit what it was like. In those days they were not supplied with masks," she told the inquest.

On December 5 he went to her and mouthed that he could not breathe before keeling over in her arms.

Pathologist Dr WD Salman said cause of death was a combination of respiratory problems including miners' lung disease, mild infection and pulmonary hypertension.

Recording an open verdict, acting East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor said it was not possible single out a cause of death.

He told Mrs Gotthardt: "It was not totally miners' disease, it was not entirely that but a variety of problems which combined led to his death."