LIVES could be put at risk in Burry Port if coastal erosion disturbs bags of "contaminated asbestos" buried at sea, town councillors have warned.

The issue was raised during a Shoreline Management Plan Review presentation held at the National Botanical Gardens, with Carmarthenshire Council, The Environment Agency and other consultants — although council bosses have since been keen to stress that the claims are "unfounded".

The meeting was to discuss how to tackle coastal erosion in the area.

During discussions, Councillor Geoff Thomas identified localised coastal erosion from Bay Bach to Pembrey Nose.

As well as flooding concerns, he also raised fears about the possible leaching of asbestos material buried there.

He said: "Once asbestos is disturbed, it gets into the surrounding areas and that's when it becomes dangerous.

"If it gets into the air, the wind could carry it and then we could have a big problem."

Councillors are now calling for urgent investigations to be carried out.

Councillor Thomas added: "We want more tests done in this area to see what asbestos is there.

The authority's head of public protection Philip Davies said: "This is a former brownfield site which is subject to investigation.

"However, the allegations about asbestos being buried are unfounded. There is no proof whatsoever of asbestos being deposited on the site."

Read the Llanelli Star for the full story.