A RETIRED shipbuilder died of pneumonia is hospital years after working with asbestos.

Stanley Tomlinson, aged 82, of Sandy Mead Road, Bournemouth, died at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital on November 22, last year.

Coroner Brendan Allen opened and adjourned an inquest into the death of the former shipbuilder at Dorset Coroner's Court, Bournemouth Town Hall, on Wednesday. (April 1)

Reading a statement from coroners officer Ken McEwan, Mr Allen said that Mr Tomlinson had been admitted to hospital on November 18, last year, after being found on the floor by his wife.

"He is believed to have had mesothelioma due to known asbestos exposure, but it was not possible to obtain a tissue sample," said Mr Allen. "It is believed that during the course of his working life he was exposed to asbestos."

Following a post mortem examination the cause of death was recorded as bilateral bronchial pneumonia due to asbestosis.

Mr Allen formally opened and adjourned the inquest into Mr Tomlinson's death until a review hearing in October.