A WOMAN died after exposure to asbestos-contaminated overalls in her youth, an inquest heard.

Evelyn Pierrepont, 80, of Bishopstone, never had direct contact with asbestos in her working life.

But she came into contact with the dust when her father Alfred Green returned home from his job as a carpenter and coach builder at the Great Western Railway Works.

The eldest of three children lived at home with her parents in Swindon during the 1940s before getting married and moving to London. She later returned to the town in 1957. Her daughter Christine Osman gave evidence at the inquest into her mother’s death at the Civic Offices.

“She told me he (her dad) would come in after work in his overalls,” said Christine.

“He had them on at home. At the end of the working day he would be in the same overalls. He would also wear them in the shed. As he was a carpenter he would make items for the house.

“Mum couldn’t confirm she washed his overalls or not. She found it difficult to talk about her illness. When she was diagnosed she became depressed and I didn’t push the idea with her.”

Evelyn, who was married to George, worked in a tobacco factory and also on a trading estate fitting arms to record players. She was diagnosed with the cancer mesothelioma in October 2006 and died on January 3, 2007, at the Prospect Hospice in Wroughton.

Histopathologist Darko Lazic, who carried out a post-mortem examination, said: “Mesothelioma can occur many years after the exposure. Once it progresses you cannot stop it.”

Mr Lazic said Evelyn had a pulmonary embolism, caused by deep vein thrombosis, leading to mesothelioma.

Wiltshire Coroner David Masters recorded a verdict of death caused by mesothelioma. He said: “Given the balance of probability she died of that industrial disease.

“It is an unusual case but not unheard of. We’ve had previous cases of workmen’s overalls being washed by their wives or children.”