Nearly 50 council run buildings across Bolton still contain potentially dangerous asbestos, according to a new report.

The Trades Union Congress carries out surveys every year to find out which local authorities still have buildings containing the material, which still contributes to thousands of deaths every year.

In response, Bolton Council says it carries out regular checks to make sure its buildings are safe.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “In accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, there is a presumption until proven otherwise that there will be asbestos-containing material in buildings over a certain age.

“All buildings where asbestos-containing material is present are managed in accordance with legislation and industry best practice.

“We carry out regular maintenance and asbestos surveys to ensure our buildings are completely safe for everyone and we have a robust management plan in place.”

Bolton was one of 31 local authorities surveyed by the TUC between July and October last year.

The report released this May found that just one of the 31, Chorley Council, had removed asbestos from all its premises.

In response, campaigners have called for a change in the law demanding that local authorities like Bolton remove asbestos completely, rather than simply “managing it” as current policy states.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Asbestos exposure at work continues to cause thousands of deaths every year.

“Yet asbestos is still with us in workplaces and public buildings across the country.

“As a result, more than 22 years after the use of asbestos was banned, hundreds of thousands of workers are still put at risk of exposure every day.

“It’s important that new councillors taking office this month know about this problem.

“It’s their responsibility to keep the people who use those buildings safe, but they need help from national government too.

“The only way to protect today’s workers and future generations is through the safe removal of asbestos from all workplaces and public buildings.

“We need national government to work with local authorities on a plan to remove it from every last building.”