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

Following a survey carried out by Wear Valley District Council, 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.

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

The council, which owns most of the estate, will hold two meeting to consult with residents as it tries to find a solution to the problem.

The estate is a mixture of 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 it's 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 the asbestos could reach £500,000, more than £40,000 per property.

There will be two public meetings at Taylor Road Community Centre, between 6pm and 8pm tonight and again on Thursday.

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 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.''