An investigation has been launched today amid fears that building work could have left residents of an Oxford City Council tower block exposed to asbestos.

The scare follows months of electrical repairs at Foresters Tower, in Wood Farm Road, Headington. It is feared that staff working on cupboard panels may have left residents exposed to the potentially lethal substance.

A large improvement programme, including extensive rewiring, has been carried out at the tower block since Christmas, and council officers are now trying to find out exactly when the problem occurred and who is responsible for it.

The 110 residents, who live in 84 flats at the block, have not been evacuated, according to ward councillor Peter Johnson.

He said the potential problem was discovered yesterday and the council's housing department immediately launched an investigation.

"Our main concern is for the tenants at this point," Cllr Johnson added. "I, and other ward councillors, will be visiting all the residents, and calling for a public meeting.

"I don't know the precise nature of the problem or exactly how the problem was discovered, but I understand there are two types of asbestos and this is not the most dangerous of the two.

"This is not a situation where it has been thought necessary to evacuate residents and I would regard that as an encouraging sign.

"These are very nice flats and it is a great disappointment that this has happened."

Alan Potter, caretaker at Foresters Tower, said 37 flats could have been affected and tests were now being carried out. Air samplers were being used on floors 11 and 12 today.

He added: "Tenants will be informed as soon as the results of the tests are known."

One woman resident, who asked not to be named, added: "We have heard there is some asbestos in the building but no-one has told us anything."

David Connett, chairman of the housing committee, said: "Environmental health officers have visited the flats and can find no visible traces of asbestos-containing materials.

"But we intend to bring in independent consultants to carry out more detailed tests to confirm our initial findings."

ASBESTOS: FACTFILE

**Asbestos is a natural mineral made up of many small fibres, easily breathed, which penetrate deep into the lungs

**There is between one and two million tonnes of processed asbestos in buildings in Britain

**It becomes dangerous when asbestos materials are damaged and the fibres are released into the air in dust

**Asbestos materials in good condition should be left in place. Paint can be used to stop dust escaping

**Asbestos was once regularly used in cookers and ironing boards.