Roger Dyer started work on the Great Western Railway at 16 a career which claimed his life more than 70 years later.

Mr Dyer, of Springfield Road, Old Town, died from the Swindon Disease, mesothelioma, aged 89, an inquest heard.

Mr Dyer was so devoted to his profession as a railway engineer that wrote a book about his work, entitled Four Generations of Railwaymen, which mentions his exposure to asbestos.

At the inquest in Swindon yesterday assistant deputy coroner Nigel Brookes read an extract from the book.

It read: "It was years later, when the seriousness of asbestos dust as a health risk became apparent, I recalled that the asbestos lagging of the boilers was removed and replaced while it was adjacent to the boiler jig.

"Bill Baxter, with whom I worked, was, I believe, a victim of this disease asbestosis."

Mr Brookes said it was clear from the fascinating account Mr Dyer was exposed to asbestos dust in 1933.

A statement from one of his work colleagues was also submitted to the coroner.

Mr Brookes said: "It describes asbestos on boilers and pipes, which they rubbed against causing asbestos to be in the air."

Mr Dyer first started working at the GWR in 1930 and served on the railways until 1972, when he retired.

Although he was exposed to asbestos in many areas of his work, he remained in good health until January this year, when he became short of breath.

Mr Dyer went to the doctors and sub-sequent tests revealed he was suffering from mesothelioma a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibres.

Frank Thomas, consultant pathologist at the Great Western Hospital, said in a statement: "Mr Dyer died as a result of mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos. Exposure may occur many years before the disease manifests itself."

After Mr Dyer was diagnosed with the disease his health deteriorated and he died at home in April.

Mr Dyer's widow, Phyllis, 90, is still living in Old Town.

Their only daughter, Tamara Dugdale, from Dorset, attended the inquest.

She said: "He was a very fit man who cycled home from work for lunch every day. He was also very practical and brilliant with his hands."

A verdict of death by industrial disease was recorded.

Industrial injury lawyer Brigitte Chandler, of Charles Lucas and Marshall Solicitors, is pursuing a claim for compensation on behalf of Mrs Dyer.

She said: "The dangers of asbestos were known in 1932, but for a long time were largely ignored by British Rail. This is why families are making claims."

Ms Chandler has won millions of pounds compensation for thousands of railway workers with mesothelioma.