A RETIRED shipyard worker died a "dignified death" after succumbing to pneumonia caused by asbestos exposure, a coroner ruled.

George Ronald Lanyon, known as Ron, died at Risedale Retirement Home in Abbey Road, Barrow, on July 29.

The 89-year-old, who had no family, had moved into the care home in September 2017.

In May of this year he was admitted to Furness General Hospital with fluid on his lungs.

He was discharged at the end of June but continued to deteriorate and had lost more than 10kg, or one and-a-half stone, in weight between May and July.

A post mortem revealed both of his lungs had pleural plaques, associated with asbestosis, and asbestos fibres were in "all parts of his lungs". The pathologist noted two fibres in every square centimetre.

Coroner Kirsty Gomersal ruled Mr Lanyon's death was caused by industrial disease.