A 77-YEAR-OLD retired builder died after being exposed to high levels of asbestos, a Swindon inquest has been told.

Stanley Nash, of Brookmeadow, Wroughton, worked with his father in the building trade.

During the 1950s Mr Nash and his father carried out work demolishing water tanks which had asbestos lagging when they were unaware of the dangers.

Then in 1986 Mr Nash was later diagnosed with asbestosis.

Mr Nash, who was born in Paddington, London, died in September last year at Great Western Hospital.

Wiltshire coroner David Masters said: "I have seen many cases of malignant mesothelioma and it is not unusual for this disease to take hold 50 years or more after coming into contact with asbestos.

"The mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos.

"It is incurable and leads to death. It is probable that he was exposed to asbestos while working on the water tanks."