A DERELICT building in Central Fife has been secured by the council after it became a risk to the public.

The Fab-Tek building in Lochgelly has sat empty for a number of years and while developments have been approved, the site has continued to be unused.

Now, Lochgelly residents have contacted Alex Rowley, MSP candidate, to express their concerns at the lack of movement on any action to secure the building.

The politician has this week been in direct discussions with Fife Council and said he was grateful the council have moved fast to secure the building and make it safer but has warned that young people entering the building are putting themselves at risk.

Speaking to the Times, he said: “My office has been contacted by local people concerned about the state of the building and the danger it poses particularly to young people who have been seen within the grounds and buildings in recent weeks.

“People are rightly concerned given the holes in the roof, the possibility of asbestos and the general condition of the building.

“Fife Council building services have now been to inspect the buildings and the site and are taking immediate steps to firstly secure the building and to bring the different public services together to warn about the dangers of entering the site.

“We do need a longer term solution and I am hopeful that will be found soon, but in the meantime I would urge young people not to put themselves at risk and stay out of the site.

“The building has lay empty for many years and was given planning permission for a supermarket but the development never happened and the condition of the buildings and area has detreated greatly over the years since.”

Just last month the Times reported that Kingdom Housing were in discussions with Fife Council over plans to turn the site into housing after funding of £465k was secured.

At the time, a Kingdom spokesperson said: "Kingdom Housing Association is in discussion with the current owners and are bound by commercial confidentiality at this stage.

“If matters progress we will be happy to share details of any proposals as they are developed."