A FORMER director of Scapa in Blackburn died as a result of exposure to asbestos during his working career, an inquest was told.

An inquest heard that while Bryan James Gisbourne worked his way up to the board room he spent much of his time on the shop floor during his 36 years with the company.

Mr Gisbourne, 76, of Links Lane, Pleasington, retired in 1990 and his son Michael told the inquest that after his retirement his father had been very fit and active.

He played golf, did a lot of walking and travelled extensively. Earlier this year he had visited Argentina, Chile and Barbados and on his return began to feel unwell.

At first he thought it was jet lag, but on April 21 he was admitted to hospital and within days was told he had an untreatable cancer of the lungs.

He was discharged to Birch Hall Nursing home but was re-admitted to hospital and died on June 7.

The medical cause of death was given as malignant maesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos.

Recording a verdict of death by industrial related disease, deputy coroner Carolyn Singleton said that until July 1978 Scapa had manufactured goods using asbestos.

She said "We are all well aware now, with the benefit of hindsight, of the dangers of exposure to asbestos.

"I have done inquests where exposure has been minimal and up to 50 years earlier. But in this case we know Mr Gisbourne was exposed to asbestos for much of his working life."