AN ASBESTOS scare has caused villagers to call for urgent clean-up action at a derelict factory in Monton.

Parents are worried that the former Mitchell Shackleton on Canal Bank has turned into a lethal playground for their children.

And they have turned to the village’s own website to warn other families of the danger.

Monton Village Community Association chairman Paul Ashton said: "We were alerted to the problem when messages began to flood our website.

"Immediately, we phoned the council to ask them to send environmental health officers out to investigate.

"The site is just not secure enough and is proving a real lure to children wanting to play on it, but if there is asbestos about they could be playing with their lives."

Councillor Derek Antrobus, lead member for planning at Salford City Council, said they have been out to investigate.

Cllr Antobus said: "The site is owned by private developers whose responsibility it is to keep the site safe and secure.

"We have agreed with the developers that the area needs to be secured and that we will do this on their behalf and recharge the costs to them.

"In the meantime we’d like to urge people to stay away from the area while it is being properly secured."

Anthony Hirsch, boss of Chester Developments, who own the premises, said asbestos had been found on the premises during demolition of the buildings but it was of the non-toxic variety.

He said: "It was the kind of asbestos used in wall cladding and has all been safely removed by our contractors. However, despite our best efforts to keep the premises secure from intruders, youngsters are still being drawn to the site and will always find some way to get in.

"We would respectfully suggest to all those parents who are worried about their children, to make sure they know where they are and impress upon them not to break into the premises. They have responsibilities like us."

Chester Developments wanted to build a £100m eco-friendly estate on the 11-acre plot but have run up against council objections because the land was designated for industrial use under the city’s Unitary Development Plan.

The company’s revised plans were also turned down by the Secretary of State and they are now taking their proposals to a judicial review, due to be heard in September.