A FACTORY worker died from cancer caused by exposure to asbestos in used car parts, an inquest has found.

Mum-of-three Gloria Lawrence contracted deadly mesothelioma while working on starter motors and alternators. She removed parts from scrap cars and cleaned them so they could be sold on.

After developing the disease, Mrs Lawrence, of Linton, near Swadlincote, fought a battle with Derbyshire health chiefs to receive the drug Alimta which, medics argue, can help prolong sufferers' lives. Health chiefs argued its benefits were unproven, and the £8,000-a-year cost of treatment was prohibitive, but they later allowed Mrs Lawrence's treatment after a change in national guidance.

Yesterday's inquest at Derby Coroner's Court heard how Mrs Lawrence, 55, was exposed to asbestos while working at Lucas Aftermarket Operations, now TRW Ltd, formerly of Birmingham, now of Solihull.

A statement from expert Colin Plum, of consultant engineers Morgan, Finch and Partners, in Stoke-on-Trent, said: "There can be no doubt that some of the starter motors and alternators upon which the claimant worked incorporated asbestos-containing materials. Starter motors contained resin-bonded chrysotile (white asbestos). It is a matter for medical opinion whether white asbestos would cause mesothelioma."

The report said alternators contained the same material.

Mr Plum, who had been given details of Mrs Lawrence's employment history, wrote that it was unlikely she had contact with asbestos at any other point in her working life.

Linda Millband, the lawyer for Mrs Lawrence's family, said she had taken advice from Nottingham law firm Thompsons, experts in personal injury. They had consulted a medical expert who confirmed white asbestos would cause mesothelioma, an incurable cancer of the lining of the lungs.

Mrs Lawrence, of Hillside Road, had worked at Lucas from 1989 to 2000. Deputy coroner Louise Pinder said she died of mesothelioma, and recorded a verdict of death due to industrial disease.

After the inquest, Mrs Lawrence's son, Jason, said Lucas was unlikely to have been aware of the health risk.

Mr Lawrence, 35, of Arthur Street, Castle Gresley, said: "I personally don't blame Lucas – my mum worked there of her own free will but they are responsible for their employees as a company."

Following the case, Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team confirmed that people who worked in the motor industry were among those at risk of mesothelioma, although it was no longer possible to be exposed to new asbestos products following bans.

Team secretary Joanne Carlin said mesothelioma can take decades to develop. Derbyshire is considered a hot spot because of its industrial history, with about 75 people were thought to be suffering from the disease last year.

Miss Carlin said the peak of cases of the disease was not expected to occur until between 2015 and 2020.

Mrs Lawrence died on November 27, four months after completing a course of Alimta.

After yesterday's inquest, Mrs Lawrence's husband, Raymond, 57, said he felt she would have lived longer had she received Alimta sooner.

He said: "Derbyshire Primary Care Trust should have agreed to pay for the drug."

A spokesman for Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust said the case first went before the PCT in October, 2007.

He said: "As the PCT did not then have evidence of the clinical effectiveness of Alimta in treating mesothelioma, it was decided not to prescribe the drug until NICE had issued final guidance.

"When NICE did issue final guidance in early 2008, Alimta became available on the NHS and patients were able to access it as treatment.

"The PCT will continue to discuss individuals' treatment on a case-by-case basis."

Mrs Millband said the family was taking legal action in a bid to win compensation for Mrs Lawrence's death.

She hoped the family's case would be dealt with in the High Court, in London, in April or May this year.

Mrs Lawrence also left another son, Daniel, 31, and a daughter, Michelle, 34.

No-one at TRW Ltd was available for comment yesterday.