A POPULAR priest died from an industrial disease - a legacy of his previous working life.

Father Des White, priest at St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, in Dipton, near Stanley, died at Willowburn Hospice, near Lanchester, in August, aged 74.

The Sunderland-born former Merchant Navy and power station engineer turned to the priesthood following the death of Joan, his wife of 23 years, in 1979.

He studied at Beda College, Rome, before ordination in 1984, and subsequent appointments as assistant to priests in several Roman Catholic parishes in the Hexham and Newcastle diocese.

In 1990, he was appointed priest at Stella, Blaydon, moving to St Theresa's in Heaton, Newcastle, two years later.

Fr White transferred to St Patrick's in 1996 and was preaching regularly until a few weeks before his death.

The Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, the Right Reverend Ambrose Griffiths, said: "He made his mark in all three parishes. He did wonderful work and will be fondly remembered, not only for extraordinary kindness."

Bishop Ambrose had performed many odd jobs around the church, earning the nickname, The Plumber Priest.

Yesterday, an inquest in Durham City heard he probably suffered asbestos exposure in the Merchant Navy and installing boilers at power stations around the world.

North Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle recorded a verdict of death as a result of industrial disease.

A successor to Fr White at St Patrick's is expected to be announced shortly.