A GRANDFATHER was killed by an asbestos-inflicted cancer – more than 50 years after working around it as a boy.

Michael Dawes, 71, died in the Martlets Hospice in Hove on July 14 following a battle with mesothelioma, which was caused by asbestos he came into contact with as a teenager.

Born in Brighton, Mr Dawes, known as Mick, gained a five-year apprenticeship as a heating engineer when he left school at 15.

He worked for two firms over that period and in both jobs he was exposed to asbestos, his inquest at Brighton Coroner’s Court was told.

Coroner Catharine Palmer said she did not want to reveal the names of the companies Mr Dawes had worked for but did say he had won compensation over the asbestos.

Thursday’s inquest heard he had not been given safety equipment, such as a mask, while working, and would have to get his own protective gear from other companies.

There were also no dust vents to rid the air of the asbestos.

Mr Dawes, of The Ridgeway, Woodingdean, described as a strong and health- conscious man, was diagnosed with the cancer in April last year.

Following his admission to the Martlets hospice, in Wayfield Avenue, Mr Dawes slowly deteriorated, the inquest heard.

His family had been by his side in the days leading up to his death on the morning of July 14.

More than 80 per cent of mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos and the illness is most common in people aged between 60 and 80.

The disease, which most commonly affects the lungs, is almost incurable, but treatment can help control the symptoms.

Asbestos fibres can lie in the body for more than 40 years.

After his heating engineer work, Mr Dawes worked as a landscape gardener, taxi driver and for Brighton and Hove City Council.

Mrs Palmer recorded Mr Dawes’s cause of death as mesothelioma, concluding he died of an industrial disease.

After the inquest, Mr Dawes’s wife of 40 years, Penelope, said: “He was much loved and very brave. He loved his family and his friends.

“It seems like 71 is a good age to die, but it isn’t. It’s not good at any age.”

Penelope, 69, added: “I also want to say a huge thank you to Martlets, who were exemplary.”