RESIDENTS whose homes could be demolished because they contain asbestos will be demanding answers at a public meeting tonight.

People living in 120 properties on the St Andrew's Estate, in Bishop Auckland, have been told repairs to their homes could be too costly following a recent survey carried out by Wear Valley District Council.

Tests were carried out on the 40-year-old Drury-built houses and bungalows in two streets on the estate at the end of last year after problems were found in similar steel-framed homes in the North-West of England.

The council, which owns most of the estate has called two meetings - the first of which was held on Tuesday - to consult residents as it tries to find a solution.

The estate contains a mixture of both privately-owned homes and rented accommodation.

One homeowner said she did not realise the extent of the problem until she read about it in The Northern Echo last month.

She said: "I have been told that the council doesn't have to tell me anything because I am no longer a council tenant. I bought my house as an investment and now its worth nothing.''

The problems lie in the foundations, where metal posts are set in concrete containing corrosive salts.

Total repair bills for underpinning the homes and clearing asbestos could reach £500,000, more than £40,000 per property.

Tonight's public meeting will be held at Taylor Road Community Centre, between 6pm and 8pm.

Alan Northcote, area manager at Wear Valley District Council, reassured residents that their homes were safe providing they do not undertake major structural work. He also said that the council carried out the surveys on the houses as soon as they suspected there might be problems.

He said: "The results have confirmed our worst fears about the way these homes were built. Our information evenings will give residents information about the buildings, ask their views on the options for dealing with the problems and offer reassurance and guidance on the safety issues.''