A former coal miner died as a result of a lung disease caused by spending years in coal pits, an inquest heard.

Leslie Holmes, of Oakhurst Avenue in Accrington, died on December 20, 2015 aged 75.

Mr Holmes, a father of five daughters, spent all his life as a miner, working at Huncoat and Hapton Valley Colliery until he retired from ill health in 1982.

Coroner Michael Singleton told the inquest that Mr Holmes was admitted to Royal Blackburn Hospital on December 8 2015.

He said: “The medical cause of death was one of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, and I didn’t believe that a post mortem was necessary.”

Mr Holmes daughter Ramonde Whittaker also gave evidence to the inquest, said her father had been diagnosed with the condition several years previously.

She said: “He worked in a coal mine for as long as I can remember, he was at Huncoat colliery and then went to Thornybank and Hapton Valley.”

Recording a cause of death as occupational disease, Mr Singleton said: “I know whatever age, it’s distressing to lose your dad and you have my condolences.”