ASBESTOS could be found in 44 Kilwinning homes and 38 in Irvine in a crisis affecting over 600 houses across North Ayrshire and costing the council around £1.7 million.

Our sister paper, the Ardrossan Herald, last week reported that residents in Kilbirnie’s Fudstone area were informed they had asbestos in their lofts and that one resident was worried the problem could be widespread across North Ayrshire.

At the time North Ayrshire Council said that only a small number of properties – those built by Weir Construction in the 1950s – were affected within the locality but the Times can exclusively reveal that there could be 614 affected homes.

The properties underwent roof replacements within the last few years, but tenants were only informed of the presence of asbestos from last June onwards. A council spokesman said that the roof refurbishments “would not have included this area in its scope of works”.

He also added that asbestos surveys and removal works had caused minimal disruption to households and there had been “no requirement to provide temporary accommodation”.

The authority expects to complete the work – estimated to cost around £1.7 million – by the middle of this year .

The Times spoke to Patrick Dorrain, a grandfather of five from Saltcoats, where 257 homes are affected. The 65-year-old is terrified that he and his family could develop deadly asbestosis.

He said: “Our kids grew up in this house and we’ve been going up and down the loft for donkeys. I’m really worried we could have asbestosis.

“They refurbished our roof last year – would that not make it airborne? I worry about our kids and our grandkids – the youngest is just newborn. We’ve been lifting things from the loft, like prams and clothes. My wife knitted jumpers and stuff for the kids that have been passed down to the grandkids and that was all kept up there. If that’s airborne up in our loft, then I don’t know.

“I think it’s terrible. Somebody is guilty of neglect here and I think it’s North Ayrshire Council.” Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place, said: “I made it clear to the council officers that if there was any evidence of asbestos in their properties it has to get dealt with asap. Get in there and deal with the situation.”

Robert Steel, Councillor for Kilwinning, said: “I’m sure the council will be following the correct procedures. Any residents who are worried should contact the council for advice.”