A fireman's wife died of cancer after being exposed to asbestos as she washed his uniform.

Mum of two Kathleen Thompson, 54, contracted mesothelioma after regularly coming into contact with the dust on husband Alan's clothes.

Alan, 56, of Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, worked at a fire station where a large pipe where they hung kit was lagged with asbestos.

After an inquest recorded a misadventure verdict yesterday, Alan said: "She is going to be missed for ever and ever. In our eyes she is irreplaceable."

Mirror.co.uk