BOSSES of the Chandler's Ford supermarket that had to close down after asbestos was discovered during a refit have said its doors could remain shut into next week.

But they have assured concerned customers and staff that the material uncovered in the Winchester Road Safeway store is of the least hazardous kind.

Tests on the material, which is thought to have been in the building for over 20 years, have revealed it to be "brown" asbestos (amosite) - the least dangerous of three possible types.

Asbestos only poses a health risk if disturbance causes it to release fibres into the air, producing cancer-causing dust.

Despite assurances that the asbestos was undisturbed, checks of the entire shop are still being carried out.

Following Tuesday's discovery by builders refurbishing the store's interior, it had been announced that the store would open again this weekend.

A spokeswoman for the supermarket giant has now said essential tests and an analysis of air in the store could see its reopening delayed as late as next Thursday.

She told the Echo: "It will be closed just as a precautionary measure while the whole site is being checked.

"But we do not want to rush it. We want it to be 100 per cent safe for our staff and customers."

The spokewoman added that, as there had been no dust released into the air, packaged goods on site would not be replaced and will be sold as normal when the supermarket reopens.

But fresh food has had to be disposed off simply because it had gone off.