A NORTH Yorkshire householder is furious after potentially harmful asbestos was found in materials used to build a bridleway in North Yorkshire.

Bob Hearld, whose house overlooks the abandoned site, said he was not told about the discovery of the substance near the site between Flaxby and Goldsborough, near Knaresborough, even after environmental chiefs shut down the project and launched an investigation.

The bridleway scheme - to make a safe passage for horses between the two villages - was started last year on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council's highways department.

But it was soon abandoned, after a local businessman told the Environment Agency (EA) he suspected asbestos was being used during the infilling of an embankment.

Mr Hearld said he was not told about the discovery of the substance despite repeated calls to the council and EA.

He said the embankment has become a terrible eyesore and a fly-tipping hotspot.

"I'd heard rumours about the asbestos, but no one would tell me anything," he said.

"Why the secrecy? I'm obviously concerned."

Coun David Procter, a member of Flaxby and Goldsborough Parish Council, said: "We're very, very concerned that there has been a lack of communication and lack of action. The site is a complete eyesore."

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "The agency has carried out an investigation at this site and has discovered that material has been used which is not suitable for this type of work.

"The material includes some small fragments of bonded asbestos - the type which had been used in the past to build garage roofs.

"The agency is in the process of deciding if any further action should be taken and also what needs to be done to deal with the inappropriate material used in the construction."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said: "We're obviously investigating this situation as a matter of urgency and are pleased that it has been brought to our attention at such an early stage.

"We're doing everything we can to rectify the problem."

Updated: 10:47 Tuesday, June 01, 2004