Cheshire-based Britannia Hotels Ltd failed to ensure a full asbestos assessment was undertaken before construction workers refurbished a wing of The Grand Burstin Hotel in Harbour Way, Folkestone in early 2010.

Canterbury Crown Court heard that an asbestos surveyor called to the site after work began discovered the widespread presence of asbestos in the eaves of the building.

He also found asbestos on the second floor, which was likely to be linked to the removal of walls and ceilings as part of the refurbishment.

A licensed asbestos contractor had to be called in to remove the material and seal off the contaminated area to prevent fibres spreading to other parts of the hotel.

Britannia Hotels Ltd, of Cheshire, pleaded guilty to two separate safety breaches and was fined a total of £160,000 and ordered to pay £40,051 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Melvyn Stancliffe said:  “Britannia Hotels Ltd carried out refurbishment work without carrying out a full and proper asbestos survey before works got underway.

“The company’s failure to deal with the asbestos could have resulted in up to 22 workers being exposed to asbestos from the outset of the project until the end of July 2010.

“Although guests did not have direct access to the floors where asbestos was found, it is possible that the fibres may have spread into areas that were still open to them.

“The simple fact is that because of the company’s failures, both guests and workers have been put at risk, and they now face an uncertain future.

“This situation was wholly avoidable and I hope today’s prosecution also highlights the need to ensure that workers are given the appropriate training to ensure that asbestos is properly managed and dealt with.”