A RETIRED doctor’s receptionist died of asbestos-related cancer after coming into contact with clothes covered with the deadly substance, an inquest heard.

Janet Sibley, from Princess Road in Ashurst, died on April 25 at Southampton General Hospital after struggling with mesothelioma.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard how the 69-year-old may have come into contact with asbestos from washing her father’s clothes during the '60s when he worked at the docks.

She also washed her husband's David Sibley’s clothes which may have also been covered with asbestos.

Mr Sibley told the hearing he worked at a chemical plant in Gosport where he was exposed to the deadly substance from 1989 to 2004.

Senior coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of death due to industrial disease.

Mr Short said: “She is likely to have come into contact with asbestos on a secondary basis as a result of washing clothes either from washing her father’s clothes during the 60s, or during a later period when her husband was working in Gosport in a location where asbestos was present.”