HUNDREDS of tenants are to be moved out of their homes for up to eight weeks after asbestos was found in properties.

Landlord Twin Valley Homes is facing a £2.8million bill to rid more than 100 houses of the white-brown asbestos mix which was used to insulate houses on the Delph Lane estate, Blackburn, when they were built in 1969.

The asbestos was first discovered when workmen moved in to renovate a house in Sandwich Close.

Twin Valley said it did not know asbestos was present in the properties but believes only homes on the estate are affected.

Around 20 people own their own homes on the street, having bought them under the Government's Right-to-Buy scheme.

Twin Valley has offered to repair the homes -- but it will cost homeowners around £15,000 to have the remedial work done.

Tenants will be told what is happening to them at a meeting on Thursday.

Houses in streets including Romney Walk, Dover Close, Hythe Close, Sandwich Close and Hasting Close are all affected.

The houses were built in 1969 and are said to be of a 'skarne' construction, which means they are made up of concrete panels with brick gables and are described as 'non-traditional'.

Residents will be moved out in groups of four to six households at a time to refurbished accommodation nearby.

Twin Valley today said it would liaise with tenants to make sure they were moved somewhere which suits them near to their existing homes.

They will live in the temporary accommodation for six to eight weeks while their homes are gutted and replastered.

Every item of furniture has to be moved out while the work is underway to prevent any fibres settling.

Houses being stripped of asbestos are sealed so no particles can escape into the atmosphere.

Brown and white asbestos is not dangerous in walls unless disturbed and has to be inhaled in large quantities to cause illness.

Phil Richards, chief executive of Twin Valley Homes, said: "We wouldn't expect to know there was asbestos there because the builders and architects will have chosen how to build the properties and asbestos was seen as safe then.

"There is very little risk from white asbestos but we have taken the decision to remove the asbestos from our homes. They are the only ones like this we own.

"At the same time, full re-wiring and plastering will take place, along with the installation of redesigned kitchens and bathrooms, along with full redecoration.

"We are working with tenants to keep disruption to a minimum and will keep them informed at all times."

Local councillor Charles Mills said: "I know there are problems with these houses but residents will just have to bear with Twin Valley Homes on this one.

"It is a frustration for the residents but once they see what the inside is like of their new homes, I am sure it will be worth it.

"As I understand that, these are the only homes of their type in the borough and once the asbestos is gone, it is gone."

Residents claim they have been offered no advice about the potential side-effects.

Dr John Astbury, of the Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection Unit in East Lancashire, said asbestos can cause the fatal diseases asbestosis and mesothelioma. They have a similar effect to lung cancer.

He said: "It's a good thing the council is looking to remove it - humans and asbestos don't mix.

"It's only really a danger if it breaks up and the particles become airborne.

"By and large, it's a work related problem and a hazard when someone is exposed long-term to large amounts but there's certainly no such thing as a safe level of exposure."

Twin Valley Homes was formed in 2001 when the Blackburn with Darwen's housing stock was passed over into a specially created housing association.