A BURNLEY woman died from breathing in asbestos despite never working in the industry, an inquest was told.

Mary Smith, 75, of The Moorings, had faithfully washed overalls for her husband, who worked as a lagger for 40 years, breathing in the material.

Coroner Richard Taylor said Mrs Smith had made a statement before her death on May 10. He said: "She knew her husband worked with a huge amount of asbestos every day. He had his own overalls that he used to bring home to clean."

Mrs Smith became more breathless in 2004 and after check-ups and X-rays at hospital was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma.

Pathologist Dr Zuhair Twaij said this had resulted in her death, through a tumour on her left lung caused by unusual exposure to asbestos.

Mr Taylor said to her family: "The loss of a parent is always extremely difficult to bear and I offer my condolences. It's an unusual set of circumstances when someone is innocently washing overalls and has no idea the effect it will have on her in later life.

"The industry where your father worked was passed on to your mother. She died having not worked in the industry itself."

He recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease.