A CHIPPING Campden woman who had spent her working life as a secretary with her husband's law firm died from a type of lung cancer for which the only known cause is asbestos - yet she had never knowingly been exposed to the deadly mineral, an inquest heard.

Gloucestershire Coroner's Court was told that Stella Price of Hoo Lane, Chipping Campden, died at the age of 80 on Wednesday, December 6 this year from mesothelioma.

Area coroner Roland Wooderson said she had received Government compensation after her illness was confirmed as the asbestos-related cancer.

Her solicitor husband Richard stated that she had worked as a secretary for his law firm from 1961 to 1983 and from then on part time as and when required.

"He said she has not worked with asbestos and he does not know where, when or if she was exposed to it," said the Coroner.

"A few years ago they had some asbestos removed by a professional company but the whole area was sheeted up," he added.

A statement from the Campden GP surgery said malignant mesothelioma had been confirmed by biopsy and Mrs Price was under the care of the Oncology and Respiratory team. She was discharged home for palliative care in October this year and died peacefully with her family present on December 6.

The coroner recorded that Mrs Price had died from mesothelioma but had worked as a secretary in an office and had never worked with asbestos.