Asbestos found as workers clear debris from blaze pier

Specialist sub-contractors are working with an engineer to find the safest way of removing the hazardous fibre from the Victorian structure in East Sussex.

Air monitoring devices have not detected any harmful airborne concentrations of asbestos so far.

The discovery was made as contractors made preparations this week to start removing unsafe sections after a suspected arson attack on the pier last month.

Emergency powers are being used by Hastings Borough Council to remove debris because the pier's Panama-registered owner, Ravenclaw, has failed to take action.

Council spokesman Kevin Boorman said: "In the course of preliminary work, our contractors have identified that there is some asbestos in the remains of one of the buildings.

"They have already appointed specialist sub-contractors, and they are now working with the engineer to identify a safe method of removing this material."

Up to 95 per cent of the derelict pier, which had been closed since 2006, was destroyed when fire tore through it in the early hours of October 5.