A grieving widow is demanding compensation after an inquest revealed her husband died from exposure to asbestos.

Gordon Maule, 71, of Seven Acres, Thame, died at home on June 5 from a mesothelioma tumour which had spread into his lungs and abdomen, Oxford Coroner's Court heard yesterday (Thursday).

Mr Maule worked as an electrician at Airtech in Abingdon more than 50 years ago where he was exposed to asbestos. Former work colleague John Peisley, of Wellington Street, Thame, told the court the factory roof was sprayed with asbestos and no safety protection was available for staff while Mr Maule was an electrician during the late 1950's.

Grey woolly lumps were seen falling from the ceiling, he said.

Dr Ian Roberts, consultant pathologist at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital said evidence of asbestos was found in all sections of Mr Maule's lungs following a post mortem. After coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease, widow Joan Maule, 61, pledged to continue legal action against her husband's former employer.

She said: "We all know what he died from because I was there at the time. Asbestos wasn't heard of then. I don't think they knew. Death from asbestos is one of the worst things I have ever seen."

Mark Ovington, of BPE Solicitors, said: "This helps the case because it confirms death was caused by exposure to asbestos. We have submitted a claim and were waiting for the outcome of the inquest. Now we will push on."

Airtech was formerly based in Abingdon and is now called Airtech Wireless Communications PLC, based in Aylesbury.