DANGEROUS asbestos waste has been left dumped in a lay-by in Hyndburn.

A large pile of the deadly material, which can cause serious health problems, was left in New Inns, Great Harwood.

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Although one concerned resident said he had reported it to the council, the hazardous waste remained there yesterday.

Council leader Miles Parkinson said it would be dealt with in due course, and asked for anybody who witnesses fly-tipping to note the culprit’s number plate, or take a picture, and report it.

He said: “It is an issue and it’s a major issue for the council clearing up the mess. It is a problem in those lay-bys and we do get it regularly, but not as regularly as other spots because it’s an open road.

“You usually find someone has done a job, given somebody £50 and expect them to take it to a tip, but they go down a country road and dump it instead.

“We have put CCTV up in certain areas and gates up in certain locations too.”

Asbestos fibres can cause serious health problems and kills around 5,000 workers every year — more than the number of people killed on the nation’s roads.

And around 20 tradesmen die each week as a result of past exposure, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said.

Diseases caused by the fibres develop over the long-term, and include cancer, a serious scarring of the lung called asbestosis, and pleural thickening, where the lining of the lung thickens and swells, causing a shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest area.

By law, asbestos waste must be packed in approved packaging with a hazard sign and asbestos code information visible, the HSE advises.

They said it should be double-wrapped, and not overfilled.

The waste should be moved in a sealed skip, or a vehicle with a separate compartment that is easily cleanable and lockable. Otherwise, it must be moved by a registered waste carrier.

It should be disposed of at a licensed site and a Waste Consignment Note should be completed and kept for three years.

Coun Parkinson said the asbestos will be assessed by county council workers, bagged, and disposed off appropriately.