A contractor has been fined after potentially exposing members of the public to asbestos during a refurbishment project in County Durham.

Peter Nigel Wade (trading as P.N. Wade Building and Civil Engineering contractor), of Winston Road, Staindrop, County Durham, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5(1) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

He was fined £267 with costs of £1,765.

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Darlington Magistrates' Court heard how Mr Wade was converting an integrated garage into a bedroom at a property on South Parade, Croft on Tees on 14 March 2015.

When visiting the property for a quote, the owners mentioned it was possible asbestos material was in the garage.

However, while working on the garage's loft space, the ceiling collapsed. Mr Wade then proceeded to pull the remainder of the ceiling down, break it up and place in waste bags.

After he removed the material, he discovered it contained asbestos.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found Mr Wade had failed to ensure an asbestos survey was carried out prior to any work taking place.

(LM)