Asbestos exposed in Winchester Guildhall's kitchen around two weeks ago has still not been removed.

The toxic material was discovered when a carpenter started widening a doorway in order to fit a new oven.

One kitchen worker, who did not wish to be named, claimed asbestos dust blew "all over the food".

But a Winchester City Council's spokesman said the carpenter stopped work immediately, sealed up the asbestos and called in health and safety officers.

The kitchen was only closed for a short time, according to the spokesman, and was reopened once the area had been protected.

"It can be dangerous in large quantities but this was just round the door frame. It was checked by our officers. It's all been sealed and there's no danger to the kitchen," he said.

However, he admitted that the asbestos had still not been dealt with: "It's being done overnight on March 16th, from Sunday to Monday morning, so there will be minimal disruption to the kitchen."

The kitchen serves the whole of the Guildhall, in The Broadway.