Public liability insurance holders have been warned about the disposal of asbestos after a reward was offered following the illegal dumping of the material near a playground.
The North West Evening Mail reported that Barrow Borough Council has offered £100 for any information which leads to the guilty party being caught.
Joan Carroll, senior enforcement officer with environmental health, said that the culprit could face jail for five years or a fine of up to £50,000.
Her words came after around 100ft of bonded asbestos piping and guttering was found in bushes at the bottom of Vale Side Gardens, Barrow.
"Asbestos is a very dangerous substance and whoever dumped this here has absolutely no regard for the safety of those nearby," she said.
The Health and Safety Executive said that when asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can cause serious diseases, which are responsible for around 4,000 deaths each year.