A VERDICT of death by industrial disease has been recorded on a man who spent decades at workplaces containing asbestos.
Graham Bancroft, of Keele Drive, Church Gresley, was a cabinet maker, carpenter and joiner, both in the UK and in South Africa, during his working life, and it is thought he was exposed to asbestos several times over the years.
He developed mesothelioma as a result of his exposure, and lost his fight against the disease last September.
He was 69.
Andrew Haigh, coroner for South Staffordshire, recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease, following a hearing at Burton Town Hall yesterday.
He told the inquest: "Graham was only 69 when he died, which nowadays is a young age to die.
"In 2012 he developed mesothelioma in his abdomen, which is nearly always asbestos related.
"He has undergone treatment for his mesothelioma, including surgery, and he had a number of hospital admissions.
"With the diagnoses that Graham had, the prognosis was probably poor in any event, because mesothelioma is a horrible condition."
