A SUSPECTED asbestosis sufferer moved to Ilfracombe to live with his daughter before he died, an inquest heard.

The inquest at North Devon Magistrates Court last Wednesday learned Michael Reading, 59, wanted to be close to his daughter Sandra Prideaux after discovering he was dying.

HAPPY: Michael laughs with his grand-daughter Madison, who was born in July last year.

He was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in February last year, which is caused by scarring to the lungs and is often linked to asbestos.

Michael decided to move from Kidderminster to North Devon, which he visited regularly and where his family was based.

Michael, who worked in a sugar factory for 19 years, also asked Sandra to find out whether his condition may have been caused by exposure to asbestos.

The inquest into his death last week learned a post mortem examination, carried out by pathologist Andrew Bull at North Devon District Hospital, found a minimal level of asbestos in his lungs.

Deputy coroner John Tomalin recorded that Michael died from natural causes.

Speaking after the inquest, Sandra Prideaux, 24, said: "My dad asked me before he died to see if it had something to do with asbestos. I am pleased with the verdict and to finally get some closure.

"Dad thought he may have the condition from taking down pipes in the boiler house and from working as a dustbin man. My dad was very active, walking three or four miles every day and working 16-hour shifts. He never smoked. He couldn't understand how he got this condition. Although it is rare, it does happen."

Sandra moved to Ilfracombe in 2003 with mum Bridget Ray.

Bridget was divorced from Michael but they stayed good friends.

In his last few months, Michael saw his daughter Sandra get married to her husband Jamie.

He also celebrated the birth of his grand-daughter Madison who was born in July last year.

After relocating to Ilfracombe, he quickly made friends, and his larger-than-life personality often saw him wearing fancy dress costumes on nights out and singing karaoke.

His favourite pub was the Sandpiper Inn, which is owned by Jamie's family.

Daughter Sandra said: "Dad wanted to move here after the illness. He loved Ilfracombe and being by the sea. It was amazing spending this time with him and having dad at my wedding. He was just an all-round bubbly guy. There was never a bad word said about him."