AN operation was launched to stop a company dumping asbestos in Clacton.

Tendring Council was given information that a company working on a demolition site in Clacton had found a mass of the hazardous asbestos while working.

An informant told the council that the company had been quoted £8,000 to have the asbestos disposed of legally, and could be panning to dump it.

The council joined forces with the Health and Safety Executive and a warning letter was sent to the company.

Bosses were also told there would be a site visit after work was completed to make sure any asbestos had been disposed of properly.

Council environment boss Nick Turner said: “By sharing information we were able to step in and make the right noises to the company and make them aware of their responsibilities over disposing of the asbestos in the correct manner.

“It is impossible to say that this material would have been dumped on the streets of Tendring but on the information we received it was a very distinct possibility."

Anyone with information of this kind should contact council waste management officer Darren Weaver on 01255 686749.