Air tests have been carried out at South Craven School after asbestos was found at a dangerous level.

The tests at the Cross Hills school showed one of its rooms contained asbestos fibres. North Yorkshire county council specialists immediately sealed off the area. The room was then cleaned and a 'reassurance air test' carried out.

It was a normal school day but no children were in the room at the time.

It is believed the damage stemmed from a dislodged ceiling panel or hole in the wall, from which dust containing the dangerous fibres escaped.

Particular attention is being given to the school by North Yorkshire county council because it is built with wall and ceiling panels which contain asbestos - a form of construction very common in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The council has worked closely with the governing body and senior management of the school to ensure suitable precautions are being taken.

Specialist consultants have conducted nearly 300 air tests throughout the school. Only nine areas marginally exceeded the clearance indicator limit and these have now been dealt with.

South Craven head-teacher John Vickers has welcomed the council's speedy response. "The building, design and management team has been both open and thorough in the way in which they have approached an issue which must be a matter of concern for many schools across the country," he says. "It is to North Yorkshire's credit that the county council is prepared to take swift action like this, and resolve a difficult problem once and for all."

There are now plans to remove asbestos materials in all areas of the building. It is envisaged that most of the work will be completed over the next ten months.

A revised plan of action has been drawn up for managing asbestos in buildings owned by the council. This plan is in line with the new national guidelines due to become law after a recent countrywide consultation exercise. Officers have received training to take account of the new procedures and the council also hopes to extend this training to staff in schools.

Asbestos is an incombustible fibre which is used for insulation. It is said to be found in most secondary schools and larger primary schools, alth-ough the risk is generally low.

Fears have been highlighted recently at Ryshworth Middle School, Crossflatts, where worrying levels of asbestos led some parents to keep pupils at home. The school has now been given the all-clear.

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