A FORMER oil refinery pipe fitter died from a lethal lung condition more than 40 years since he was last exposed to asbestos.

Southampton Coroners Court heard how Douglas Allen was exposed to the deadly material at work between 1958 to 1970, which included Fawley oil refinery.

But it was not until the late 1990s that doctors discovered he was developing plural plaques and plural fibrosis which is caused by breathing in asbestos.

Mr Allen died aged 81, from the condition on January 13 at Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington.

Southampton deputy coroner Gordon Denson recorded a verdict of death due to industrial disease.