A MINER who worked in the pits for 40 years died from an industrial disease related to his work, an inquest heard.
Alan Woodfine, 86, of Barrington Lodge Nursing home, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, had suffered problems with his lungs and breathing for three decades.
His wife, Elsie, 83, told the inquest, at Darlington Magistrates' Court, that her husband's breathing had become worse over the years.
She said: "He had been bad for a long time, he had worked in the pits for 40 years.
"It got difficult for him to get about and his breathing got worse as the years went on. He had Alzheimer's disease for five years."
Dr Clive Bloxham, a pathologist at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, found that he died of chronic respiratory failure due to chronic airways disease.
South Durham Coroner Colin Penna recorded a verdict of death from industrial disease.
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