ASBESTOS has been found in Worcester's JobCentre, forcing the building to be shut until further notice.

The Sansome Street office was closed after a substance that was suspected to be asbestos was found.

It was later confirmed to be asbestos, which is completely safe if let undisturbed.

However, it poses a health risk when fibres are airborne and can lodge in the tissue of people's lungs.

Asbestos is the greatest cause of work-related deaths in Britain.

But tests at the JobCentre have so far shown the air is clear of fibre particles. In the meantime, telephone calls are being diverted to the Redditch JobCentre Plus - and customers are being advised they do not need to attend to sign-in this week.

A mobile JobCentre office is in place in the car park at Vine House on Farrier Street, Worcester, to deal with urgent appointments and enquiries.

An area at Vine House has also been opened to deal with crisis loans customers.

A spokesman for the JobCentre said: "The office will remain closed until tests have been concluded and all asbestos has been cleared from the building."

He said the building's owner Land Securities Trillium (LST) was arranging for all necessary tests to be undertaken and the air tests were clear.

The spokesman said: "LST are also arranging to remove the asbestos from the site.

"Further air tests will be undertaken while the work is being carried out and again once the work is complete.

"Public and staff will only be re-admitted to the building once it is established that the environment is safe."