A 74-year-old Newent man's death from asbestos-related cancer was probably linked to his work as an electronics engineer, a coroner said last Thursday (February 24).

Gloucestershire Coroner's Court heard that John Higgins, of Meek Road, Newent, died at home two days before Christmas 2021 from malignant metastatic mesothelioma - a lung cancer for which the only known cause is asbestos exposure.

He had been diagnosed with the terminal illness after visiting his GP in July 2020 with symptoms of breathlessness and chest tightness, the inquest was told.

His GP Dr Jasmine Dargan said a CT scan revealed the mesothelioma and Mr Higgins told her he had very likely been exposed to asbestos while working as an electronics engineer.

The assistant Gloucestershire Coroner, Roland Wooderson, recorded a narrative conclusion saying: "The deceased died of malignant metastatic mesothelioma. During his working life he was an electrical engineer and it's believed he may have been exposed to asbestos then."