CHILDREN in Kirklees are at risk of lung cancer because the danger of asbestos in the classroom is being ignored, it is said.

Hundreds of schools in Yorkshire are risking pupils health, says a study by a Huddersfield firm.

Data from 600 schools collected by Moldgreen-based BES Consulting, a firm of surveyors specialising in asbestos, showed that under one in 10 of schools in the region have a legally required asbestos management plan.

These findings follow recent research published by the Health and Safety Executive. It revealed that 147 teachers died from asbestos exposure between 1991 and 2000.

It is now mandatory for schools to comply with asbestos risk assessment requirements under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.

These rules require an accurate evaluation of materials containing asbestos, followed by a structured plan for their management and the continual monitoring of their state.

Simon Farrar, the chief executive officer of BES, said: "There are an awful lot of schools breaking the law and not putting in place an appropriate asbestos management plan.

"Asbestos is highly dangerous. It can have a profound impact on children now and in their future.

"Legislation has been designed to deal with the risk, but many establishments are ignoring it."

Breathing in air containing asbestos fibres can lead to lung and chest lining cancer and accounts for 3,000 deaths a year in the UK.

Mr Farrar added: "Though the use of asbestos is now banned for building purposes most schools were built between the end of the Second World War and the late 1980s.

"This was the period when the use of asbestos in construction was at its height.

"Asbestos becomes hazardous once it has been disturbed. This usually occurs while the building is being refurbished.

"With the Government promising to commit further investment to improving secondary schools over the next 15 years asbestos has the potential to become an even bigger issue in the future.

A Kirklees education authority spokeswoman said: "Kirklees has a dedicated team to deal with asbestos in schools and all other premises.

"Kirklees Scientific Services are nationally accredited, one of only three such teams in the country.

"In Kirklees we are aware of where asbestos is likely to be in our schools and other council premises.

"We have a policy to deal with it through a rolling programme of surveys which complies with our duty to manage.

"Following each survey, Scientific Services produce a report for the school or service to help them manage their building.

"We also have a capital programme to deal with asbestos which manages the process of removal through licensed contractors.

"We are proud of our ability to manage asbestos in Kirklees and Scientific Services have sometimes sub-contracted work to BES."