A man died more than 45 years after being exposed to asbestos as a teenager.

An inquest heard that William Lyons, 62, would have been exposed to the substance while working as apprentice marine engineer from 1962 to 1964.

His widow, Sharon, told an inquest at Ashford last Thursday she believed he would have been exposed to dislodged asbestos while working on ships.

A post mortem examination confirmed that Mr Lyons, of Cygnet Way, Ashford, died at the town’s William Harvey Hospital last October 19.

Cause of death was classed as pneumonia due to malignant mesothelioma, cancer of the lung lining usually associated with asbestos.

Victims die decades later and coroner Rachel Redman recorded a verdict of industrial disease for Mr Lyons.