EXTENSIVE tests failed to find the cause of a malignant lung tumour which caused the death of Edward Alberts.

Mr Alberts, 68, of Bevington Close, Burnley, died from a mesothelioma, a malignant tumour associated in 95 per cent of cases with exposure to asbestos, an inquest was told.

Pathologist, Dr Abdul Al-Dawoud, said tests on samples carried out at the University of Wales showed only a small number of brown asbestos particles well within the normal background levels.

Occasionally such tumours were associated with radiotherapy. Although Mr Alberts had received treatment for leukaemia that was by way of tablets and not radiotherapy, East Lancashire Coroner David Smith was told.

His daughter Adele Foster, of Padgate Place, Burnley, said her father died in Burnley General Hospital on August 28 last year.

He had a long history of chest and breathing problems, leukaemia and spinal disease.

Her father served an apprenticeship as a stone mason with Blackburn Council before serving in the Army for nine years.

He then worked as a flagger and paver for Lancashire County Council for about 20 years. He gave up work due to ill health in 1980.

He had told them he used to mix asbestos with cement when laying flags.

Recording a verdict of death from natural causes Mr Smith told the family: "We have tried to get to the bottom of it but there is nothing more we can do."

He expressed his sympathy to them, saying Mr Alberts had gone through an awful time with leukaemia and spinal problems before this had happened.