THE Worcestershire coroner has recorded an open verdict after a Droitwich woman died as a result of asbestos exposure.

Sixty-five-year-old Wendy Stevens died on Friday, October 31, at home in Littleton Road, Droitwich, after suffering from a lung disease caused by asbestos exposure.

Her family recounted the time she worked as a history teacher at Bromsgrove College when major construction work was being done to the building.

Her son Guy Stevens, who was a student at the college at the time, said: “They closed half the building off and were doing the work during term time. I think there was polythene on the doors.”

But coroner Geraint Williams could not be sure the woman’s lung disease was caused by this particular exposure.

“I cannot say it is more likely than not to have been ingested at work,” said Mr Williams at the inquest on Wednesday.

“Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance. It is possible, but perhaps more likely than not that it could have been ingested at work.”