RESIDENTS of council flats in Darlington have been reassured that there is no threat from asbestos in their properties.

Asbestos warning stickers appeared in Elvet Place, Cockerton, following decorating work carried out at the flats.

However, Darlington Borough Council has said that although asbestos was present in the floor tiles, it was not harmful, and the stickers were standard procedure to warn contractors.

Leslie Brown, 56, a resident of Elvet Place, said: "I'm pretty worried as it's the same sort of tiles all through the flat.

"They should be replacing the whole lot as far as I'm concerned."

The council said the stickers were used in all its buildings where asbestos products were present.

A spokesman said: "A full risk assessment is carried out on all buildings and they are carefully monitored on an ongoing basis.

"The stickers are there so any workman knows it's absolutely fine in a stable state and there is no danger if they leave it alone."