FAMILY of a man from Romsey have paid tribute.

Edgar Barrett Graham, 85 of Bridge Road, died on January 26, 2021, after being diagnosed with cancer.

Mr Graham was described as being healthy and generally fit before being diagnosed in 2017 when he complained of breathlessness.

The diagnosis came after a biopsy showed a malignant tumour called mesothelioma which is more commonly linked to asbestos, however, can be caused through exposure to other chemicals and substances.

An inquest at Winchester Coroners Courts on September 13 heard how Mr Graham believed he had been exposed to asbestos at some time during his working life. He had told a worker at HASAG, a charity which supports people suffering with asbestos related disease that he believed he had worked with the material in a garage as a teenager.

Senior coroner Christopher Wilkinson explained how signs of asbestos can take over 30 years to show. He said: “I have no doubt he will have come into contact with asbestos at some time, but my difficulty is being able to pinpoint a time and place.

“There isn’t enough evidence to say it’s an industrial disease at this time.

“Not to downplay that exposure, it’s very clear he has been exposed at some time.”

Mr Grahams family said he was a peaceful, smiling man. He hadn’t been the same after the diagnosis and had a couple of falls but that he had been able to stay in his own home until the end.

He had been a valued member of the congregation at Romsey Abbey and had received their help of which he had been grateful for.