A RETIRED heating engineer died almost 40 years after being exposed to asbestos in schools, an inquest heard.

Alan Vansittart would see the deadly dust rising into the air as the material was taken off piping in boiler rooms in the 1960s, the inquest was told.

Mr Vansittart, a single man, died at his home at Macklands Way, Rainham, last November aged 55.

In a statement seven days before his death he explained that he had worked for the Heating and General Engineering Co (Catford) over three different periods from 1963 to 1969.

Mid Kent and Medway coroner Roger Sykes concluded that Mr Vansittart died from industrial disease.

Following the post mortem examination it was also concluded that heart disease was a contributory factor.