COMPANIES across East Lancashire are being urged to check their premises for asbestos.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will present a breakfast briefing at Groundwork Blackburn on Wednesday, March 10 from 8am to 9.30am, on new asbestos regulations coming out and what employers need to do to comply.

Mick Smith, manager of the Groundwork Business Environment Association (BEA) in Lancashire, and organiser of the event, said: "Companies need to be geared up in dealing with the hazards of asbestos, especially as the HSE estimates over half a million non-domestic premises have some form of asbestos in them."

The new regulations come out in May 2004, and stress that those responsible for the maintenance and repair of non-domestic premises will have to examine whether there is asbestos present, and if so, it must be either removed or managed so as not to expose workers to risk.

The event will also include a talk from local company, Nationwide Asbestos Property Surveys Ltd, on how they can provide a service to survey and remove asbestos.

Attending companies can take advantage of a 10 per cent discount on orders placed.

Cost of the briefing, which is open to all businesses, is £25 plus VAT and includes breakfast. Interested companies are asked to ring Christine Morriss on 01254 669036 to register.