A horticulturist renowned for her work at Sissinghurst Castle gardens died from cancer caused by asbestos exposure, public liability insurance holders have been told.
The Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard reported that Pamela Schwerdt was 78 when she died of malignant mesothelioma last year, however, how she came to be exposed to the deadly material was a mystery.
Gloucestershire coroner Alan Crickmore recorded an open verdict at the inquest.
In a statement, Miss Schwerdt's sister Rosemary Booth, said that she recalled her stoking boilers at Waterperry Horticultural Society where she was based between 1948 and 1957.
However, the Waterperry school closed in 1971, and the firm which took over the site does not have records on its heated glasshouses which stretch back to Miss Schwerdt's time of employment.
Earlier this month, public liability insurance holders were told that the coalition government is scrapping Labour's previous plans for an asbestos-related disease research centre.