Basingstoke's Aquadrome is safe for users, the council has said after it revealed that asbestos was found in the building.

The swimming centre at the town's leisure park will be partially closed until after the summer holidays after reports found that work was required.

Essential work is required on the lagoon's steel structure, as well as internal and external wall panels as a result of high humidity.

Further in-depth surveys also found asbestos in parts of the older wall.

It means that the flumes and lagoons will be closed until at least the autumn, after the council struggled to find a contractor to carry out the works.

However, the 20 and 25-metre pools, and gym facilities, currently remain open.

Now, the council has reassured users that the Aquadrome is safe, stating that any work carried out on areas asbestos has been identified will take place when the building is closed.

Speaking to The Gazette, the council's communications and marketing manager, Sara Shepherd, said: "Yes it is safe. We have reassured people that it is safe."

Cabinet member for health, wellbeing and leisure, Cllr Rebecca Bean, said: “We want to apologise for the inconvenience the maintenance work on the lagoon and flumes area will cause but the safety of visitors and staff must come first, so the work on the high level steel panels needs to be completed before it is reopened.

“Our appointed contractor and asbestos specialists will ensure this work is carried out in line with Health and Safety Executive regulations.

"The work on the internal wall, where asbestos has been identified, will be completely isolated from any areas kept open for public use. As an extra precaution, this work will be carried out when the building is closed to visitors.”

Asbestos was banned from use in the UK since 1999, but despite the Aquadrome opening in 2002, it is understood that asbestos was found in part of the building that made up the old Westfield Lido, built in 1976.

There are three main types of asbestos - blue (crocidolite), brown (amosite) and white (chrysotile). Blue and brown were banned in 1985, with white following in 1999.

Asbestos is safe if undisturbed, but can cause lung diseases such as asbestosis or mesothelioma if the microscopic particles that can be pushed into the atmosphere when disturbed are inhaled.

The council said a decision had not been made on whether the asbestos will be removed as part of the works, or whether it will be left undisturbed.

Cllr Bean continued: "“The wall where asbestos has been identified behind some of the high level steel panels is part of the original building structure. This is separated from the areas which are currently open for public use.

“Asbestos can be found in any building which has been built prior to 2000 and is not harmful unless it is disturbed. For the safety of the contractors carrying out the structural work and those using the facility in the future, a specialist will advise on this work."