A COUNCIL is facing a huge clean-up bill after fly tippers dumped a demolished asbestos building in a slip road off the A59 at Clitheroe.

Police called out environmental health officers from Ribble Valley Borough Council on Friday night after a demolished garage and shed were found dumped at Standen.

The asbestos panelling and debris will cost hundreds of pounds to clear away due to the specialised cleaning needed to dispose of the dangerous material.

Medical experts say just one fibre of asbestos is enough to induce cancer.

The council today branded the tippers selfish and inconsiderate, and are calling for anyone with information to contact them.

The garage had a distinctive panel over the front door with a mid-green background and white sunburst effect, as well as maroon guttering and window frames. The wooden outhouse was possibly used to house birds or animals, and may have been a pigeon loft.

The council's environmental health manager, James Russell, said: "Fly tipping is costing council taxpayers thousands of pounds a year. The person who owned this garage might have paid someone to remove it for them but in the end it was dumped.

"This shows a total disregard for the environment and it isn't the first time we have had to deal with this kind of thing. Fly tipping is a serious offence and we will not hesitate to take action."

The road at Standen is still blocked and it may not now reopen until tomorrow.

Mr Russell added: There is no reason for people to do this, as there are facilities for the disposal of asbestos at local household waste disposal centres, which are free of charge to domestic properties."

To contact the council's environmental health department, call 01200 414464.