Figures seen by the BBC suggest asbestos is still present in nearly nine out of ten schools in the UK – higher than previous official estimates. It can be managed safely if it is left undisturbed but there have been calls for urgent action to make schools safer.

Asbestos was widely used in the building industry in the 1960’s and 70’s but was banned in the UK in 1999, after a link was established to a number of different lung diseases.