A WOMAN who had limited exposure to asbestos during her life died of an industrial disease, an inquest concluded.

Pauline Scott Sugden, 71, of Abbey Dore, died on July 5, at St Michael's Hospice.

An inquest held at Hereford Town Hall on Monday heard that on April 2, Mrs Sugden had attended A&E after suffering a chest infection which wasn't getting better.

A subsequent x-ray led to a diagnosis of mesothelioma on April 7 and cancer care was put in place.

Pauline had told a solicitor before her death that while she worked as a switchboard operator at Neville Hall Hospital that the plugs had a protective coating which she believed was asbestos.

"That was the only thing that seemed possible," said her husband Alan Sugden.

"She always said how messy the unit was at Neville Hall Hospital and she always used to take a cloth and duster.

"She did comment that the cables were in and out all the time and in a very bad state of repair.

"We thought hard and there is nowhere she could say it might have been as that was the only link she could throw on this."

County coroner Mark Bricknell recorded the cause of death as mesothelioma. He recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease.

"Baring in mind this lady's work and industry there does seem only limited possibility of exposure," said Mr Bricknell.

Readers can go to the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance for more information on asbestos and mesothelioma by visiting: www.mesothelioma.com.