I recently became aware of an inquest into the death of Ann Beaufoy, a former administrator of a National Trust property in North Yorkshire.

The coroner recorded that Mrs Beaufoy died of pleural mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. He also said there was no evidence of exposure to asbestos other than when Mrs Beaufoy was working at Beningborough Hall, a National Trust property near York. More details on the inquest are available on the York Press website.

This sad case was of particular interest to me because of the exposure to asbestos at a National Trust property. I am a National Trust member and along with thousands of others I have visited National Trust properties over the years. I'm sure that we all hope that those visits were safe.

The National Trust says that asbestos has now been removed from all of their properties to meet national standards. That is a positive move and other organisations that are responsible for the maintenance of public spaces and workplaces should look to remove asbestos to minimise the danger caused to employees and the public.