RESIDENTS in a block of council flats say they have been driven out of their homes because a room in their building contains walls lined with asbestos.

People living in St Ives Court in Nythe say that the room has not been adequately sealed off and are worried about their safety.

But Swindon Council says there is nothing to worry about because no asbestos fibres have been released into the air.

Samantha Barnes, 21, lives in the building with her partner Stephen Nichols, 19, and their six-week-old baby Liam.

She says her home is 8ft away from the room and feels this must be unsafe.

She said: "I'm not staying at home until they have removed it.

"The warden told us there was blue asbestos in the building and I asked him if that was dangerous because it is supposed to be poisonous.

"He said it was going to be blocked off but it can't be safe, especially for the little ones.

"It's been two and half weeks since we found out and nothing has been blocked off. I'm too scared to come up here and am staying with my father-in-law."

Swindon Council spokesman Adrian Ruck said residents should not worry as the asbestos panels do not pose a danger to residents and will shortly be removed.

He said: "There are some asbestos ceiling panels which will be carefully removed under asbestos removal regulations. These are very strict rules.

"The removal has not started yet the enclosure that will be put up has not been erected yet. I do not know when the work will start but when it does an enclosure will go up to make sure there is no danger to residents.

"In preparation for the removal, the asbestos has been tarred with an encapsulate sealant to ensure fibres don't get parted from the asbestos.

"There is nothing to worry about and the panels will be removed under safety regulations."