TEXTILE technologist James Moody, 62, died from an industrial disease linked to contact with asbestos even though he never knowingly worked with the substance, an inquest heard.

Mr Moody, of Carrington Avenue, Flackwell Heath, died on March 14 after falling ill with mesothelioma.

Dr Yoon Chia, a consultant pathologist at South Bucks NHS Trust, said cause of death was due to a malignant white tumour which formed around the lung.

Richard Hulett, coroner for Buckinghamshire, said the sort of tumour suffered by Mr Moody was "very, very rare".

But Mr Moody's wife, Anne, told the inquest that her husband had never knowingly come in direct contact, with the material.

She explained that her husband had been into mines during his national service in the army. She also explained that he had worked in factories which had been stripped down.

However, she added that during the last 15 years of his life, Mr Moody had spent much of his time travelling around the world with his job in the textiles industry.

Mr Hulett, summing up, said: "I've a suspicion that this disease is actually always related to asbestos."

A verdict that Mr Moody died from an industrial disease was recorded.