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

Worcestershire County Council's opposition Labour group leader has 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.

But she 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 said: "The NUT has stated 'schools are murdering children, at the age of five, by refusing to remove asbestos from their buildings'.

"What's 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."

The Worcester News first revealed last year how 337 schools in Worcestershire have asbestos in them, in parts of properties which are difficult to reach.

The council's policy is to leave it alone, on the basis it is unlikely to ever be disturbed unless schools are demolished.

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.

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.