Investigation into auction mart asbestos health fears

Youngsters with weeks of summer holiday ahead of them have vandalised part of the auction mart and dislodged ceiling material, which has fallen to the ground.

The material is believed to be low-grade asbestos, which could present some threat of harm to their health.

Auction mart managers will meet Darlington Borough Council officers today to discuss the issue.

They were alerted to the problem after complaints from parents living near the auction mart.

Peter Gray, who lives in nearby Park Lane, said: "My daughter came in and told me she had been playing in the sand pit.

"She said what they were digging with and showed me. It was the asbestos off the roof, and the kids were all digging in the sand with it.

"I reported this to the council three times by phone last week, but nothing has been done."

Children are believed to be breaking into the site and vandalising it with bricks from a derelict wall on council property. They are also entering the site and playing in sand there during the day.

A council spokesman said: "The responsibility for that building is the Darlington Farmers' Auction Mart's. If there is a problem with it, it is their responsibility.

"We are meeting them on site with our health and safety people, our markets people and our asbestos experts.

"We have spoken to them and it is an ongoing problem there because the youngsters throw things at the roof, bits break off and they fall to the floor.

"We will be meeting the auction mart officials to give them advice. The risk is low level, but nevertheless it needs cleaning up."

Auction mart chairman John Earle said: "We are obviously taking steps to clear the problem.

"What is happening is the children are coming to play on sand which we have stored there -but the children should not be on the premises.

"As with all industrial sites, it could be dangerous, but it is obviously difficult to keep them out."