Bradford councillors have been warned they may have been exposed to potentially-deadly asbestos during a visit to the city’s former Odeon cinema.

Trespassers who have broken into the building may also be at risk according to its owners, the Homes and Community Association (HCA).

Warning letters have been sent to councillors who visited the building before they made the controversial decision allowing it to be demolished.

The move comes after the HCA commissioned consultants to carry out a survey of the potential risk as the building had deteriorated further.

A spokesman said “very high” levels of asbestos were discovered and the HCA is now taking urgent action to remove the dangerous substance.

Councillor Mike Ellis (Con, Bingley Rural), chairman of the regulatory and appeals committee, was joined by six other members and officers for the visit.

They were given protective suits when they entered the building with Council officers for the visit, organised by the Odeon’s previous owners Yorkshire Forward, said Coun Ellis.

He said: “I can confirm that we have been notified about the problems that have come to light and that there is the possibility that we have been exposed.

“I would say that perhaps they could have been more vigilant.”

However, Councillor David Robinson (Lab, Wyke), who was also in the party, said he was satisfied any contamination would have been “minimal”. He said: “I do not have any concerns because of the precautions which were taken. The suits, the masks and the shoes we wore were, to my mind, adequate for the visit.”

The agency has informed the Health and Safety Executive.

A spokesman said: “As part of the due diligence process on taking ownership of the assets of Yorkshire Forward, the HCA decided to take urgent action to determine the structural integrity of the former Odeon Cinema in Bradford. In particular, we commissioned specialist consultants to carry out a survey of potential risk from asbestos in the building.

“The latest survey has shown that the structure has deteriorated and that there are very high levels of asbestos in the building. These do not pose a risk unless they have been disturbed and only to people who have entered the building recently without appropriate precautions.

“Now that we are aware of these issues we are contacting anyone who has been authorised to enter the building and we are making every effort to contact those people who may have entered the building without the permission of the current and previous owners.

“If anyone has any concerns, they should contact their GP.”

A spokesman for Bradford Council said the procedure to allow councillors into the Odeon in 2009 rested with the owners, Yorkshire Forward. He said risk assessment was completed and the presence of asbestos was known but “appropriate” precautions were taken. Routes around the building were restricted to avoid areas where asbestos might have been present.