A CORONER has recorded an open verdict after being unable to prove that the death of a Widnes man was caused by working with asbestos.

However, assistant deputy coroner Dr Robert Hunter said Robert Cropper, of Arden, Hough Green, would have had his quality of life affected by exposure to asbestos.

The inquest at Warrington heard that Mr Cropper, who died aged 83 on September 8, 2004, had worked at Turner & Newalls from 1933-39, served in the forces during the war and worked at the firm again from 1946 up until his retirement in 1978.

His earlier period of work was in the moulded goods division which involved product containing white asbestos and he was later promoted to general foreman working on the factory floor.

The inquest heard that Mr Cropper suffered a range of health problems with symptoms including chest problems, a cough and colds which would 'go to his chest'. He reported becoming short of breath 'just walking to the paper shop just 300 yards away' and a CT scan at Halton Hospital found plaques in his lungs.

A GP's report pointed to multiple medical conditions which also included heart disease, type two diabetes and asbestosis. He also underwent regular blood transfusions for anaemia.

A report on behalf of Mr Cropper's solicitors said masks has been available for workers at T&N but hardly anyone wore them and only beaters were required to wear them.

It said in 2001 'gross pleural plaquing of the chest' was identified. In June that year medics found lung thickening and calcification of the lung bases.

The inquest heard that a claim for compensation in Manchester Municipal Court was unsuccessful.

Consultant pathologist Dr Al Jafari carried out a postmortem examination on September 24, 2004.

There was no evidence of mesothelioma - a type of cancer caused by asbestos - and lung samples revealed no asbestos fibres.

But Dr Al Jafari said that it was not unexpected to find no fibres in a such a patients as they were 'worked out over time'.

He said there was a natural clearance of asbestos from the body, typically a 50% over an eight-year period. He said: 'We have to rely on changes caused by fibres and the history of the patient. I cannot exclude the possibility, but I didn't see sufficient changes in the lungs for asbestos to be a determining factor in the cause of death.'