A RETIRED tools demonstrator died as a result of exposure to asbestos fibres when he was a teenager, an inquest has heard.

Brian Ronald Tomkins, 79, who was born in London, died at his home address on Clay Lane in Handforth, on February 27 this year, after being diagnosed with asbestos pulmonary fibrosis several years ago.

The read only inquest was heard at Warrington Coroners Court, revealed how Mr Tomkins had worked as a roofer for just six months when he was 15 and during that time, had been exposed to asbestos.

Assistant Coroner Heath Westerman said Mr Tomkins' death had been expected after he was placed on palliative care in July last year.

Dr Sally Hales, a pathologist, carried out a post mortem on Mr Tomkins at Macclesfield District Hospital and confirmed the medical cause of death as 1A pulmonary fibrosis (asbestosis) and 2 malignant neoplasm of the prostrate with essential hypertension.

She said: "Samples taken for histology have shown one fine asbestos body in the left upper lobe unstained section.

"While this may be insufficient for compensation purposes, blocks are available for further fibre analysis should it be required.

"I believe it is sufficient for me to indicate that likely asbestosis given the clinical history and the pattern of fibrosis microscopically."

Mr Tompkins daughter Charlotte Collins said her father had no other history of working with asbestos, except for when he was a teenager and had spent his working life thereafter demonstrating automatic drills, which involved putting screws in and out of wood.

She also said how her father had smoked for twenty years before quitting in 1978 and had been fit and well until the diagnosis of his lung condition. He had also received treatment for prostate cancer, but hadn't suffered any ill health during that period.

Dr Edward Cotton, Mr Tomkins' GP revealed how his patient, who had a been a patient since 1999, presented himself to the surgery in 2012 complaining of shortness of breath.

He said: "A chest x-ray was arranged and this showed plural calcification if the right diaphragmatic dome.

"This raised suspicions of exposure to asbestos, which Mr Tomkins confirmed at a follow up appointment."

Mr Westerman accepted the cause of death provided by Dr Hales,

Brian Ronald Tomkins was exposed to asbestos fibres during the course of his employment

"He was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in July 2015 and continued to deteriorate and died on February 27 2020 at his home address.

"Therefore, in those circumstances and on the evidence, I am satisfied on the balance of probability that his death was of industrial disease."

Mr Westerman extended his sincere condolences to the remaining family and friends of Mr Tomkins.