A Royal Navy veteran from north Norfolk died after being exposed to asbestos, a court has heard. 

Dennis Cooper, of Texel Way in Mundesley, near Cromer, died at home on February 2. 

At an inquest opening in his death, Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard that the 87-year-old was a retired Royal Navy chief petty officer. 

Speaking from the court in Norwich, based at County Hall, area coroner Yvonne Blake read evidence from a GP at Mundesley Medical Centre. 

They gave the medical cause of death as malignant mesothelioma. 

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer mainly affecting the lining of the lungs and is usually linked to asbestos exposure. 

Mr Cooper's son, Nicholas, confirmed that his father was born on September 19, 1936, in Ipswich, Suffolk. 

The inquest opening took place on February 14. A full inquest to determine the official cause of death will take place next month. 

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