Hurricane-damaged roof tiles at the Somerset Country Squire contained asbestos, it has emerged.

Workers wearing white protective suits have been trying to clear the tiles ? a job expected to finish today.

Contractors Landmark Construction this week confirmed the presence of asbestos at the restaurant, which has remained open during work.

But Somerset Squire tenant and owner Derek Hassell was puzzled by the news. He said he and others cleaned up after Hurricane Fabian blew off the roof

?We swept up all the tiles and put them in a pile. I don?t understand how the tiles could be asbestos because the building was built at the turn of the century, in the late 1800s.

?I rent the building from Bermuda Realty and the owners are Sandys Holding Company.?

Sandys Holding Company could not say whether the material being removed was asbestos or not and pointed in the direction of the insurers and contractors.

While Landmark Construction admitted the material was asbestos, they could not say which type. Owner, Brian McCloud, said questions should be directed at the Heath Department?s senior environmental officer Roger Mello.

?We are the contractors and they (T.E.S. Ltd.) are removing tiles from the roof,? said Mr. McCloud.

?There is a very small amount of asbestos, but I am not sure which kind it is.?

Mr. McCloud said the removal was being monitored by Mr. Mello.

And subcontractors T.E.S. Ltd., whose men have been working on the roof, declined to comment on the asbestos claim.

Asked why the men were in full protective clothing if they were just removing clay tiles, T.E.S. owner Terry Sergeant said: ?We also do waterproofing work and asbestos.

?You need to talk to Brian McCloud.?

Health and safety officer Doris Foley said that the Environmental Health Department dealt with asbestos matters.

But she explained there were two types of asbestos and that particles could enter the body through any orifice.

She said asbestos could not be coughed up and lodged itself into the lungs. It was also usually seen to be dangerous when it was airborne. Chief environmental officer Estlyn Harvey said it was the first time she had heard about the matter. She was unable to comment.

Mr. Mello did not return calls.