cheers for the advice. from what i've read white asbestos which is what most gutters and corrugated roofing etc is made from is much safer than the blue or brown asbestos so i think i'll live touch wood, but i shall steer clear of it in future.
sean, yes i read that after i posted, i won't bother though. do you clean them?
and samson this is what it looks like
, although as smudger says it's usually painted.
thanks again