A CIVIL engineer who worked in power stations became a victim of the cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, a coroner ruled on Tuesday.

Gloucester coroner Alan Crickmore recorded a verdict that Michael Alan Beechey, 79, of Sandfields, Bromsberrow Heath, near Ledbury, died on August 19 this year from an industrial disease.

In a statement to the Gloucester inquest Mr Beechey's wife, Rita, said he had worked at many power stations including Luton, Uskmouth and Hinkley A.

He was present when equipment was installed and there was a likelihood that he was exposed to asbestos, she stated.

Medical reports to the coroner said that post mortem tests showed Mr Beechey died from the lung cancer mesothelioma, the only known cause of which is inhaling asbestos.