TODMORDEN MP Chris McCafferty is to be called in by the town council, who have raised the alarm about allegations that asbestos has never been properly removed from the grounds of a former hospital now used for housing development.

The matter was first raised when a development application for housing on the site of the former Stansfield View Hospital, amid claims about asbestos still being in the ground, were made by Coun Tony Greenwood following information he received.

An analysis on the land has confirmed traces of asbestos, but were said not to be dangerous.

A letter from the Health and Safety Executive stated it had no responsibility for the disposal of asbestos.

At the time the hospital was demolished in 1993 the local council had power of control.

Coun Greenwood said the detailed letter from the Health and Safety Executive left a number of questions unanswered, and it was time they asked the town's MP to make the right inquiries in the right channels.