A FORMER serviceman died more than 50 years after receiving a Ministry of Defence jab, an inquest heard.

Retired driver William Douglas, 69, who served in the Army as a young man, is believed to have contracted hepatitis C through syringe-sharing at the MoD.

The father-of-one, from Middlesbrough, lost his battle with liver cancer and died in November last year.

Yesterday, Teesside Coroner's Court heard how the progressive cancer was more than likely caused by the hepatitis C infection, caught by a lack of cleanliness in the 1950s.

Doctor Derek Manners, a liver transplant and cancer surgeon at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, said: "During the 1950s, I think there was less concern about the transmission of infections through vaccinations than there is today.

"Even in the Army, there would have been one syringe used for more than one person. That is the most common factor for the development of hepatitis C.

"What was an eastern world condition has become more prevalent elsewhere in the world."

Home Office pathologist Dr Ursula Earl told the inquest Mr Douglas died on November 26, last year, from liver cancer.

She said: "The extent of the damage to the liver was such that I couldn't determine the exact cause.

"There are two possibilities for liver damage, one being extensive alcohol abuse and the other being infections such as hepatitis C.

"In this case, it was more likely an infection."

Mr Douglas' son, Andrew, 39, told the inquest his father was not a heavy drinker and only consumed alcohol socially about twice a week.

The court heard how Mr Douglas was diagnosed in April 2002 with cancer of the liver when lesions where discovered during diabetes tests.

He underwent chemotherapy treatment, but the cancer progressed to his lungs. He was admitted to Teesside Hospice on November 15 for comfort care and died 11 days later.

From medical records made available to the inquest, it was discovered that Mr Douglas received 32 different vaccinations or inoculations while serving in the Army between 1952 and 1974.

Deputy Teesside Coroner Gordon Hetherington recorded an open verdict.

He said: "It is possible that the liver cancer was caused by hepatitis C, which could have arisen through vaccinations many years ago.

"But due to the liver being so badly damaged by the disease, there is not a conclusive cause."