RESIDENTS living behind a disused factory that has been struck by fire several times say they are worried about the possibility of asbestos poisoning.

Fire officers were called out to a blaze at the former exhaust factory, on Back Owen Street, Accrington, in May.

The previous month they were called to the derelict building twice in less than a week.

Geraldine and John Rothwell's house, in Owen Street, backs on to the factory and they say they have been trying to get the council to do something about it, to no avail.

Earlier this month they received a letter from the council acknowledging the possible presence of asbestos on the roof, which has been severely damaged by fire.

The letter says the roof is constructed from a material that could contain cement asbestos sheeting.

It states: "Cement asbestos sheeting was a commonly used material. Many domestic garages and industrial buildings were built using this material and still remain in use throughout the country.

"Cement asbestos is the lowest risk to health of all asbestos materials."

Mrs Rothwell, 58, said: We have gone into it with health and safety and we understand once the asbestos is exposed to the air it becomes dangerous."

Mr Rothwell said: "It just wants a 15 to 20-feet-high fence round the back and that will be the end of it."

A spokesman for Accrington Fire Station said: "We are concerned both from the fire point of view and in case of accidents involving one of the children inside ."

Mike Chambers, chief executive of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: "We are aware that this building has been a nuisance for some time, and have written in some detail to Mrs Rothwell regarding this matter.

"During this time we have been undertaking extensive investigations to establish the ownership of the property. It is only in the last few days that all avenues have been exhausted, the result being that the property is in unknown ownership. Therefore the council is just now in a position to investigate the options available."

Council leader, Councillor Ian Ormerod, said: "The council is doing everything possible to try and resolve this complex situation."