VILLAGERS worried about the health risks of asbestos at a building site have been told they have nothing to fear.

Residents of Middleton St George, near Darlington, are concerned about the effects of asbestos at the former Arctic Milburn site, at the Yarm Road entrance to the village.

The building is being demolished to make way for flats and, as a result, asbestos has been removed and stored at the site.

Health chiefs have said the asbestos carries only a "low risk", but villagers remain to be convinced.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "The site is thick with asbestos and they're really smashing it apart.

"These people aren't just taking it down piece by piece, they've got a big digger and they're just ripping it down, the site is a mess."

"The asbestos could be floating in the air and there is a housing development literally 50 yards away. Everyone downwind of it is going to get covered in asbestos.

"There is only half of the building down and something's got to be done to stop them knocking down the rest of it."

Officers from Darlington Borough Council's environmental health team inspected the site yesterday.

They were told that all the asbestos, in cement sheeting form, was removed before demolition work started.

It was stored on pallets and covered in polythene sheeting.

Local councillor Doris Jones said: "There is cement asbestos on there, but it's all being taken away in a professional manner and the environmental health department says there is nothing to be worried about.

"This is a low-risk asbestos - many people have garages built with it and as long as it is kept under cover there is not a problem with it."

Coun Jones said she was still concerned that children could get into the site and play with the asbestos.

And she said she was worried about the safety of a wall on the site.

But she said: "I've asked them to ensure there is a security guard on there for 24 hours a day and that has allayed any fears for me.