CALLS are being made to establish the cost of removing asbestos in Bromsgrove schools - with a councillor saying children's lives are being endangered.

In February, the Advertiser revealed that at least 16 of the district's schools still contain asbestos, with Worcestershire County Council claiming that removing the material could mean demolishing the buildings altogether.

Worcestershire County Council's opposition Labour group leader has since made a fresh bid for asbestos to be eradicated from schools, leaping on remarks from a teaching union about children being "murdered".

But the idea has been rejected by the Conservatives, who say it would entail the closure and possible widespread demolition of schools across the county.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has recently released a statement urging schools to finally rid all schools of asbestos, prompting a fresh debate at County Hall.

Councillor Peter McDonald, Labour group leader, demanded to know the "total cost of removing asbestos from all maintained schools".

Conservative Councillor Karen May, cabinet member for transformation and commissioning, said she did not know the figure, and had instructed staff to find out.

Cllr May, who also represents Bromsgrove's Perryfields ward, added: "The guidance from the Health and Safety Executive is to seal the columns to prevent the fibre being released, rather than remove the asbestos.

"Total removal of the asbestos would require buildings to be closed for the duration of the removal, and may entail demolition and rebuilds."

Cllr McDonald, who also acts as ward member for Bromsgrove's Rubery North, said: "The NUT has stated 'schools are murdering children, at the age of five, by refusing to remove asbestos from their buildings'. What is your response to that?"

Cllr May replied: "We would never unknowingly endanger the life of a child - we adhere to Health and Safety Executive advice wholeheartedly."

Council bosses have insisted some removals would be so unsafe it is "not an option" - with the only possible response left to cover it up and contain the danger.

To find out which council-maintained schools in Bromsgrove still contain asbestos, click here.

Asbestos kills around 1,800 people across the UK per year and is a contributing factor in more, but doctors have warned the figures have yet to peak and could rise past 2,000 before 2020.

People falling victim to lethal diseases from it rarely get symptoms until between 25 and 50 years later.