AN ex-scaffolder who worked at two well-known East Lancashire power stations died as a result of exposure to absestos, an inquest heard.

Martin Carlin, 59, worked inside both Padiham and Huncoat power stations while insulation was being ripped out of the buildings, Burnley Coroner's Court was told.

In a statement filed before his death, Mr Carlin said he worked for Kirk's at the two facilities, erecting scaffolding so laggers could strip pipework at the power stations.

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He recalled how the scaffolding would often become covered in asbestos dust and fibres, the inquest heard.

Mr Carlin, of Stainton Drive, Burnley, died at Pendleside Hospice on August 15 and a post-mortem examination by Dr Mohammed Aslam gave the cause of death as malignant mesothelioma, a cancer commonly associated with asbestos exposure.

East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor said that he had received a letter from Mr Carlin's solicitors confirming that a successful claim for compensation had been lodged before his death.

Mr Taylor added: "These factors, and the medical evidence, along with the cause of death, leave me no option but to return a conclusion of industrial disease."

The power station at Padiham, now the site of Shuttleworth Mead business park, closed in 1993 and the Huncoat facility in 1984.