Asbestos discovery in Yorkshire prolongs school holiday

Primary-age pupils at Poppleton Ousebank School in York will have to spend the delayed start of term in temporary classrooms while the potentially dangerous fibres are removed. Headteacher Estelle O'Hara wrote to parents to inform them about the delay in reopening the school, and said their children could return on Monday.

Her letter read: "This is not the ideal way to start the year but the safety of the children is paramount. I realise that news of the presence of asbestos in school is worrying but all steps are being taken to eliminate any further risks."

Although all traces will be removed from the lower school, which were discovered during roof work over the summer, about 100 pupils will have to study in mobiles in the staff car park for the time being. A similar incident occurred last September following work on Poppleton Ousebank buildings.

A City of York Council spokesman said: "It has now been agreed that the opportunity should be taken to remove all of the asbestos insulation boards from this site before work to re-roof the school can be completed."