PEOPLE living in Worcester's three tower blocks are bracing themselves for more disruption this month when engineers set about removing asbestos from the high rises.

The clean-up exercise at Severn House, Henwick House and Cripplegate House will cost almost twice as much as originally feared.

An estimate of £9,000 to clear each of the St John's blocks fell short when investigators found far more of the potentially-deadly substance than first feared.

"We have an estimate per block on the basis of how much asbestos we thought existed," chief housing officer Peter John told last night's Worcester City Council community services committee.

"But our consultant found asbestos in far more places than we had guessed."

Councillors voted to go ahead with the works at a revised cost of £17,000 per block, despite warnings the programme would exhaust the budget for asbestos removal.

"We have a budget of £50,000 for asbestos removal and might need extra funds in an emergency if asbestos we know about in other properties has its fibres damaged," added Mr John.

Asbestos is safe if painted, sealed and kept in good condition, with no risk of its fibres entering the air.

The work is set to start on the first block this month, with work on the other two starting next month.

The project is expected to be finished in October.

Councillor Richard Udall paid tribute to residents who have had to endure a lot of disruption.

"This will be the first time they will have to leave their flats and there are real security concerns, so we must reassure them precautions will be taken," he said.

After removing asbestos from external buildings, engineers intend to clear up one floor of each block per day, with residents being housed in communal areas.

Only one of the 148 flats is owner-occupied and officers expect it to be cleared like the others with the costs reclaimed afterwards.