Landlady killed by asbestos poisoning

A Black Country landlady died of asbestos poisoning from the pub she ran for 21 years with her husband, an inquest heard.

Barbara Ford, ran the old Waterglade pub on Rose Hill, Willenhall, with husband Harry and died on Thursday at St Giles Walsall Hospice.

During the time she ran the former pub, she was exposed to asbestos insulation and lagging in the cellar and parts of the lounge, yesterday's inquest in Smethwick was told.

Husband Harry, their two daughters and Barbara's sister Sheila Hancock, who all at some stage lived and worked at the pub, have been warned they could have been exposed as well but will not be given hospital tests until they start showing symptoms.

The pub, which has since been turned into houses, was demolished the day Mrs Ford was diagnosed in 2007, the inquest heard yesterday.

Speaking after the hearing, the family said a compensation claim was settled "amicably" two years ago but would not reveal the amount. They paid tribute to Mrs Ford,79 who lived four years after diagnosis.

Mr Ford said: "She was a fighter, normally people affected by asbestos don't live beyond a year and a half."

Mrs Ford was former chairlady of the Wolverhampton Licensed Victuallers Association and ran an over-60s club at the Amery Hall in New Invention on Wednesdays.

Daughter Kim Pickett, a personal assistant at Walsall Council, added: "She was a really outgoing person and many people in the community will remember her."

Daughter Lesley Thomas, a mother-of-one and NHS worker in Swansea, said: "She lived life to the full and was a very popular lady."

Black Country Coroner Robin Balmain delivered a verdict of death by industrial disease.

The former pub's owners were unavailable for comment.