A RETIRED builder died from a type of cancer related to asbestos exposure, an inquest heard.

Raymond Aurelius, from Christchurch, died on November 23.

Following a biopsy in 2017, the 68-year-old was diagnosed with incurable epithelioid mesothelioma.

Speaking at the opening of his inquest in Bournemouth on Thursday, coroner's officer Andrew Lord said palliative chemotherapy was prescribed for Mr Aurelius.

"He deteriorated over the next few months and died peacefully," he said.

Mr Aurelius, who was born in Slough and lived in Smugglers Lane at the time of his death, was married to Theresa, a retired office clerk.

No postmortem was carried out after his death, but a doctor from Highcliffe Medical Centre provided a report.

Epithelial cells, which are healthy and prevalent in the human body, can mutate into deadly epithelioid mesothelioma cells when exposed to asbestos. Coroner Brendan Allen adjourned the inquest until May 23, 2019.

He requested statements from Royal Bournemouth Hospital and from Mr Aurelius' family, as well as a statement about his working history.