THE family of an engineer who died from asbestos exposure has warned of its unknown repercussions.

Martin Seex, of Silver Street, Silver End, died suddenly in November after being exposed to asbestos at work, an inquest heard.

The 64-year-old worked for Walter Reynolds Ltd in Ongar until October 2000.

The court heard that, while at work, it is believed he was exposed to an asbestos-filled roof and then went on to work on ovens lined with the hazardous fibre.

At the inquest, at New Bridge House in Chelmsford last Thursday, Mr Seex's family spoke of their distress at the suddenness of his death.

Son John Seex, 33, said: "I think people just don't realise how serious this is.

"What people don't realise is that it will lay dormant for 30 years and you think you have got away with it but when it attacks, it only takes hours to do so.

"The only treatment there is for this would be to have a full lung transplant."

Martin Seex first had problems in March when he suffered severe pains his shoulder, but further tests for asbestosis in August were inconclusive.

It was only when, in October last year, he lost his voice and four stone in weight that his condition was diagnosed and quickly deteriorated.

Before having the chance to see a specialist at Basildon Hospital, he was admitted to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford with respiratory problems and passed away on November 4.

A post-mortem examination at Broomfield Hospital found the cause of death to be metastatic mesothelioma, an aggressive lung cancer.

His wife, Angela, 55, said: "He was a brilliant husband, dad and grandad – we weren't expecting him to go when he did."

The grandfather of seven enjoyed motor racing and trips to Yarmouth and Felixstowe, where Angela took him on his birthday, the week before he died.

John added: "He was like the rock of the family."

Coroner Eleanor McGann recorded a verdict of death from an industrial disease.