asbestos has been removed from a village building site.

Residents of Middleton St George, near Darlington, had expressed concerns about the effects of asbestos at the former Arctic Milburn site.

Health and safety experts and environment chiefs said the material was removed in a professional manner and there was no cause for alarm.

The asbestos, in sheet form, was removed from the building before demolition work started and stored safely until the necessary paperwork was completed.

Barry Gomersall, owner of asbestos removal company Gomersall Demolitions, said all of the asbestos had been taken away by Friday.

He said: "We took the sheets off using a scissor lift, lowered them to the ground, then wrapped them in polythene and put them on pallets.

"We then got permission to move it to the tip, and took it to the appropriate site with the environmental notes."

He added: "Everyone was happy that it has been done in a professional and safe way, including environmental health monitors."