The authority has ordered workmen to down tools for 48 hours while it carries out checks to make sure health and safety procedures designed to deal with the substance are being carried out at all the sites where decent homes work is being carried out.

It is believed to be a precautionary measure in case asbestos is found again. The move follows two cases of asbestos in flats where builders are renovating homes.

Residents in flats at The Crescent, Woodlands, were evacuated last month after the potentially harmful material was found by builders. In total, 34 people were removed from their homes at short notice and put up with relatives or in hotels. They were away from their homes for three weeks.

Earlier this month 36 homes in Askern House and Treeton House, on the St James estate in Balby Bridge were evacuated after traces were found by workmen. They were told they would be in temporary accommodation until Sunday, August 10.

The two day freeze was announced in a joint statement from Paul Hart, Doncaster Council's managing director, and Martin Musgrave, chief executive of St Leger Homes.

It stated: "The safety of residents is always our paramount concern and following the recent two incidents involving asbestos in homes that have undergone renovation by contractors working for St Leger Homes, Doncaster Council and St Leger Homes have called a 48-hour stop to all current works to ensure all project management and Health and Safety procedures are being rigorously enforced."

The way the halt was handled has been criticised by residents.

Sue Ludlam was having her central heating replaced at her house on Sandhurst Road, Cantley, and says many neighbours on nearby Goodison Boulevard had had their kitchens removed.

Sue, aged 60, said the workmen had not been told when they would be able to start work again - leaving residents fearing they could see their houses left partially renovated and without vital facilities for months.

She said: "Some of my elderly neighbours were in tears. No one was able to tell us anything. It is a shambles. We've had asbestos checks round here twice in the last year."

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