A FORMER joiner, who medics believed may have had asbestosis, died from natural causes, an inquest was told.

Cancer-stricken Brian Cedric Cowgill, 70, had had a large tumour in his left lung -- but a leading expert said he did not believe it was related to asbestos, although he had been in contact with it throughout his working life.

The hearing, at Burnley magistrates court, was told how Mr Cowgill, of The Crescent, Dale View Park, Higher Lane, Salterforth, had bronchial pneumonia. East Lancs Coroner David Smith recorded a verdict of death from natural causes.

Mr Cowgill's widow Eileen, said her husband's put him in contact with asbestos. He never used a mask or protective clothing.

She said just before Christmas 1998, Mr Cowgill was in bed for about two weeks suffering from a cough and flu and was ill again about the same time the following year.

Mr Cowgill was sent to Airedale Hospital for a chest X-ray and was eventually sent to hospital in Bradford, where it was found he had a collapsed lung. Fluid had to be drained from his lungs.

Her husband, a former smoker, was told by a consultant he was almost certainly suffering from asbestosis and she believed a biopsy was planned.

Pathologist Dr Walid Salman said he sent lung tissue samples to an asbestosis expert at the University of Cardiff, who found very low asbestos fibre counts. The expert concluded it was not possible to say confidently the tumour was due to occupational exposure to asbestos.