Parents have pulled their children out of school over an asbestos scare.

And more pupils at Rysh-worth Middle School, Cross-flatts, are on the brink of being kept at home until all the asbestos found in the school has been removed.

It is understood that four classrooms had to be closed last week due to a damaged wall panel which was found to contain asbestos.

However, Bradford council has investigated the asbestos levels and insists children are not at risk.

The deadly insulating material is said to be a health hazard to pupils at the school and can be clearly seen in the building's wall panels.

On Monday a team from the Health and Safety Executive inspected the school to assess the risk of the asbestos. The team also checked on Bradford council's measures to control the poisonous substance. If required, the Executive has the power to take enforcement action and shut the school down.

Ryshworth head Sue Naylor says: "The Executive has the authority to close down any building believed to be unsafe but it didn't, which shows that the school's buildings are safe for pupils and adults."

In a letter to parents last month the head stated that teachers' unions and the school's governing body had been exerting pressure on the council to have the asbestos ripped out.

Riddlesden parent Sue Franks is concerned about the children's welfare, especially as many of them sit near the wall panels in classrooms. She says: "I don't believe any asbestos is safe and I know the pupils are getting worried as well."

The asbestos at the school was discovered in the early 1990s. Bradford council said it was safe if it was not touched. But conditions have since deteriorated.

The council has recently carried out surveys of asbestos levels at the school and says children are not at risk.

A Bradford council education spokesman says: "The asbestos at Ryshworth Middle is contained in cement which is unlikely to release fibres. The authority has a rigorous policy to deal with asbestos and this is scrupulously followed in all affected buildings, including schools which are inspected regularly.

"Our aim is to ensure that no child, member of staff or visitor to a school is put at risk through the presence of asbestos."

A Health and Safety Exec-utive report is to be issued after Christmas.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.