Schools reopen after asbestos results negative
Getty ImagesFour schools which were testing for asbestos in their play sand have reopened after being given the all-clear, the local council has confirmed.
The schools in North Tyneside closed last week after the government said it was aware some products sold in the UK contained "sand contaminated with asbestos" - all have now reopened following negative results.
Whitley Lodge in North Tyneside was forced to close a classroom on Monday following a positive result but was able to reopen the room on Tuesday following specialist cleaning.
Woodlawn School in Whitley Bay, Silverdale School in Wallsend, and Beacon Hill School in Wallsend were subsequently closed - but are now open again.
North Tyneside Council's director of children's services, Rebecca Wall, said: "The advice to all schools and settings with play sand remains to keep it covered for the time being and check the brand against the published product recall list on the Office for Product Safety and Standards website.
"Further investigations are now taking place and these are being led by the Health and Safety Executive and the Office for Product Safety and Standards, as this is a national consumer issue."
She previously said exposure to the sand would have posed a "low-level risk" to children who played with it.
