AIRBORNE asbestos pollution from a derelict council sports centre poses a significant risk to health, a Cleveland Fire Brigade report has warned.

The risk of asbestos poisoning for nearby residents was played down yesterday by Tony Dale, station manager at Hartlepool Fire Station.

But he said gangs of arsonists were continually targeting the derelict former Friarage Sports Centre, at the Headland, in Hartlepool.

Both Cleveland Fire Brigade's Arson Audit Inspection (AAI) report and Mr Dale said the former sports hall and adjoining derelict youth centre and two wooden prefabricated buildings should all be demolished.

The sports centre and youth club were closed by Hartlepool Borough Council last year. Since then it has become a target for gangs of youths. More than 100 people have signed a petition for the council to bulldoze the buildings.

The fire brigade report notes the anti-social behaviour including graffiti and alcohol abuse and that Hartlepool firefighters were called out five times to the area in the past year.

However, the inspectors also found evidence that there had been more than 20 other seats of fire that the brigade did not attend.

The AAI report also said the buildings contained various forms of asbestos.

It said: "As the structure is being systematically destroyed the materials become airborne, and holes in the walls and floors expose sharp objects which raise concerns for intruders and Local Authority personnel. The airborne pollution can also pose a significant risk to the surrounding residential properties."

Mr Dale qualified some of the worries about the asbestos but strongly recommended the buildings be destroyed.

He said: "The asbestos is in the concrete in the roof. It's a slight risk, especially if the whole building catches fire and it breaks and shatters. However, I'm very concerned about these small fires, which can easily spread."

Councillor John Marshall, ward councillor for the Headland, said Hartlepool council should knock down the buildings within 14 days. He said: "There are hundreds of people who live yards away from this place and the council need to sort it out immediately. If our mayor does not act he is not working in the best interests of the public."

A council spokesman said: "We have only just received this report but we will be looking at it closely and taking whatever action is required."