AN inquest will be held into the death of a former Barrow shipyard worker who died in June last year after suffering from asbestos-related lung cancer.

Douglas Newby from Barrow died on June 9 after being diagnosed with cancer in September 2015.

The 79-year-old had worked in the town's shipyard as a joiner and two months prior to his death, he launched an appeal to get answers as to why his former employers allowed him to be exposed to deadly levels of the toxic dust.

Commenting on his condition in April, Mr Newby said: “The consultant told me that they could offer me chemotherapy but, if it worked, it could only prolong life, not cure the illness. I have decided against it.

"It was absolutely devastating to hear this news; although I was worried at the start of the investigations that I might have cancer, I was not expecting it to be related to asbestos exposure."

The inquest will take place tomorrow at Barrow Town Hall at 11:30am.

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