RETIRED council worker Frederick Billington died of asbestos related cancer.

An inquest heard that Mr Billington, 78, of Tudor Close, Langho, had worked for Blackburn Council as a roofer and labourer for 32 years, prior to his retirement at the age of 59.

His son John told the inquest he remembered his father telling a tale of nearly falling off an asbestos roof but being able to save himself by grabbing a bolt which was sticking out. "That was the only time he talked about asbestos," said Mr Billington.

But a post mortem examination revealed a massive tumour encasing the entire right lung, and further examination revealed the presence of asbestos fragments.

The medical cause of death was given as bronchopneumonia as a result of malignant mesothelioma and deputy coroner Carolyn Singleton recorded a verdict of death due to industrial disease.