A former headteacher of Stroud Valley and Sharpness Primary Schools died as a result of asbestos exposure - but how it happened is a mystery, an inquest heard.

Much loved mum-of-two and grandmother-of-four Dorothy Bolland, 79, died on January 19, from malignant mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer for which the only known cause is exposure to asbestos.

Last Thursday (February 24) the assistant Gloucestershire Coroner Roland Wooderson said she had been diagnosed with the terminal condition in November 2020.

The coroner said: "The family have no idea how she came into contact with asbestos, other than that she had worked as a teacher in Gloucestershire for many years, retiring as a head teacher."

"The family has pursued a claim and this has been settled with compensation effected.

"The source (of the asbestos) could never be established."

Mrs Bolland, of Bathleaze, Kings Stanley, who is survived by her husband David, sons Mark and John, daughters in law Louise and Rowan and grandchildren Bryony, Sam, Hannah and Jodie, died at the Sue Ryder hospice in Leckhampton, the coroner said.

Nick Maskell, professor of respiratory medicine of the North Bristol NHS Trust, said: "She was a retired head teacher and may well have had some asbestos exposure via her schools during her working life. "

The coroner concluded "I accept the medical cause of death. Her family are unaware of how she may have come into contact with asbestos."