Asbestos removal work at school

Traces of the killer building material asbestos are embedded inside panels cladding walls at Manor School in Downsview Crescent, Uckfield.

Approved expert contractors must be brought in when an extensive improvement scheme gets underway at the school this summer.

The asbestos - which could eventually lead to lung disease if inhaled - will then be taken to a licensed tip to be disposed of under government-approved guidelines for its removal.

An application to replace wall panels, windows and doors at the school has been lodged with Wealden District Council by county council's children's services department because existing timber windows are getting beyond an acceptable state of repair.

A county council spokesman confirmed this initial stage of work, costing 95,000, is due to start on July 30 and should be completed by the end of August.

He emphasised the asbestos was low-grade and completely harmless in its current state but it was necessary to comply with rigorous Health and Safety Executive guidelines whenever it was removed from within existing buildings.

He added: 'Manor School was built in the 1960s and is due for a substantial upgrade to keep children and staff comfortable.

'We will be installing new solid laminated wall panels and new double-glazed windows.

'This is part of an ongoing project to improve the structure of the school building.'