LUNG cancer led to the death of 75-year-old Earby woman Dorothy Watson -- not the asbestosis she was diagnosed with last year, an inquest heard.

Mrs Watson, of Kenilworth Drive, died at home on January 12 after spending most of the last year of her life in Burnley General Hospital.

She was diagnosed with asbestosis in April 1999 and returned home before Christmas 1999, but had difficulty swallowing, walking and breathing.

Despite preliminary tests by Dr Zafar Qureshi showing she may have died from the asbestosis, further detailed tests carried out by pathologist Dr Zuhair Twaij and a professor from the University of Wales, revealed she had developed a malignant tumour on her lung rather than a mesothelioma tumour, which would be caused by asbestosis.

East Lancashire Coroner David Smith recorded a verdict of death through natural causes.