A protest meeting organised by parents worried about asbestos at Rysh-worth Middle School, Crossflatts, flopped embarrassingly.

Only a handful of parents attended the meeting at the Ryshworth Club on Monday night despite the handing out of 80-90 leaflets inviting them to help save their children's lives.

Ian Blenkinsop whose ten-year-old son Thomas attends the school, says: "I am very disappointed, though not surprised. I thought there would be a lot more. My resolve is absolute. I won't stop until every bit (of asbestos) is taken out of the school."

In a letter to him the school's headteacher Sue Naylor - who wants the asbestos removed - admitted his concern was justified, saying: "I cannot give you an assurance that the asbestos represents no hazard to pupils. I can tell you, however, that the teacher unions are involved and have been exerting considerable pressure, as have our governing body and the governing body of Crossflatts First School. I appreciate your concern."

But Bradford council's education chairman Cllr Jim Flood says: "There is an element of scaremongering here. Asbestos is only hazardous when it is disturbed or exposed. We monitor all our buildings to find where it is. The hazard level is insignificant."

Local MP Chris Leslie also downplays the risk, saying: "I went to Ryshworth Middle School. If anybody has been breathing it in it's me. I appreciate how people think about it."

It's a nationwide problem.''

In a bid to reassure parents Diana Cavanagh, Strategic Director of Education, has just sent out a detailed two page letter explaining the background to the situation.

She says: ""I can assure you that, in accordance with that required by the HSE, the location/condition of asbestos at Ryshworth Middle School is known and is managed, maintained and monitored in as satisfactory manner. A full survey report is available for any public inspection at the school.''

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