SCHOOLS in Redditch will be tested for flammable cladding in the wake of Grenfell fire, which is feared to have left 79 people dead.

Worcestershire County Council has confirmed that several buildings have been found to have Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding - the same used in Grenfell Tower - and that further safety checks will now be carried out.

Redditch Borough Council told the Advertiser last week that the buildings they manage are of "low risk in respect to fire" as they meet "stringent nationally recognised standards".

Worcestershire County Council has since turned its focus to maintained schools.

Cllr Karen May, county cabinet member for transformation and commissioning, said: "The safety of our residents is a top priority. All of our buildings including our maintained schools are inspected on a regular basis.

"Following the fire, Worcestershire County Council launched an immediate review of external cladding used in all of our buildings including our maintained schools.

"We have no schools that are over 18 metres high so none fall into the high risk category as defined by the Cabinet Office.

"The county council has a programme of fire risk assessments supplemented by fire safety inspections and tests which are carried out routinely, so we are confident we have adequate fire safety arrangements in place.

"The information gathered has shown that a number of buildings have Aluminium Composite cladding. The programme of additional inspections will be completed by the beginning of the new school year in September.

"Additionally, we will work with schools to assess their fire safety policies and ensure that any action required can be implemented in a timely manner."

The county council said it was unable to confirm at this stage the number of buildings found with ACM cladding and how many of those were in Redditch.