A JOINER died of cancer after he was exposed to asbestos at work, an inquest has heard.

David Jennings, 57, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in August and within a few months he was dead.

Mr Jennings's brother, Terrence, said the disease had developed quickly.

The 58-year-old said: "It was so fast, so awful. He had started feeling rough in August last year and soon we knew something was very wrong.

"David had always been so full of vitality but in three months, the disease ate him up.

"He suffered so much pain in those last weeks. He was scared and he couldn't bear to be touched."

Mesothelioma attacks the protective linings covering the body's major organs and is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure.

Derby Coroner's Court heard that Mr Jennings, who lived in Brunswick Street, Derby, used to work for Derby company Gee, Walker and Slater.

While working there, he was involved in the manufacture of fire doors, which used asbestos in their construction.

Dr Andrew Hitchcock, a consultant pathologist at Derby City General Hospital, said he believed asbestos caused the illness which later claimed Mr Jennings's life.

He told the court: "The cause of death was malignant mesothelioma. I have no difficulty in attributing this to asbestos exposure."

He added: "In my career as a pathologist, I have never seen anybody survive mesothelioma. It doesn't just kill people – it kills them in a horrible, painful way."

Mr Jennings, who was single, died at Derbyshire Royal Infirmary on January 15.

His brother said: "He began to have trouble with his breathing and soon he could barely do anything physical at all."

South Derbyshire Coroner Dr Robert Hunter recorded a verdict of death by an industrial disease and said the disease was the result of exposure to asbestos.

He said: "As an apprentice joiner, Mr Jennings helped make fire doors and was exposed to asbestos.

"This terrible disease robs people of their retirement."