A FORMER upholsterer died of a form of lung cancer following years spent working around asbestos in Hyndburn, an inquest heard.

Thomas West, 66, died in March of this year after a painful four-year battle with mesothelioma.

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Mr West, of Hargreaves Road, Oswaldtwistle, had been to see his doctor every year since 2007 complaining of a heavy cough, which often lasted two or three months at a time when the temperatures began to change, and would usually only ease after a course of steroids.

But having been back with recurring symptoms in 2008, 2009 and 2010 he was diagnosed with mesothelioma early in 2011 following a scan at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Blackburn Coroners’ Court was told father-of-three Mr West had come into contact with asbestos during his work in the furniture trade with CD Pierce and Son, in Dale Street and then Exchange Street, Accrington, between 1964 and 1977.

He then spent two years between 1986 and 1988 at J Slater and Son, in Great Harwood.

Derek Baker, assistant coroner for Blackburn, read out a statement from Mr West compiled in May 2011 detailing his work history.

In that statement he spoke of ‘playing cricket in the yard at lunchtime and regularly fetching the ball from in and around asbestos sheets’.

Mr West retired from Cliff Lingard Upholstery in 2011 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Janet West, his wife of 42 years, said Mr West was told he was suffering from asthma following numerous chest examinations, but he always believed it was something more serious.

She told the inquest that he was often in pain following the diagnosis and received treatment at the Christie Hospital, in Manchester.

He also underwent radio frequency treatment at Royal Oldham Hospital, but Mr Baker said this ‘had a dramatic effect on the pain he had in his chest’.

Recording a verdict of death due to industrial disease, Mr Baker said: “Mesothelioma is almost always linked to asbestos exposure and the amount of exposure doesn’t have to be that great.

“I am satisfied that on the balance of probabilities asbestos was the cause of the mesothelioma that led to Mr West’s death.”