An asbestos-ridden building that was putting teenage drinkers in danger is to be demolished.

Athough fenced off the old cricket pavilion in St George's Field, Harrow was a popular spot for youths to gather and drink.

But the Church of England, which owns the land, has now agreed to pull down the structure. Karen Smith, of the diocese of London's property team, confirmed recently the pavilion would be demolished within two weeks. The move is a victory for former councillor Shambhu Gupta, who has campaigned to get the dangerous building removed.

"This has been going on for two years now," he said. "I have been talking to the Reverend Stephen Keeble from the local parish but the church didn't have enough money at that level. I'm glad it's going to be sorted out." The Kingsfield Avenue resident added: "I don't think the kids knew the building had asbestos in it."

Rev Keeble said: "It fell into disrepair and was boarded up but got vandalised. Then about the week before last the council got in touch to say it was a health hazard."

He said a lot of the wood in the building had been found to contain asbestos and confirmed that he expected it would be dealt with in the next fortnight.