Harrow Borough Council has spoken out to reassure people that it does not take "the slightest risk” with children’s health after concerns were raised over asbestos at a primary school.

And a senior councillor has suggested that controversial expansion plans at the Vaughan Primary School would solve the problem - by demolishing and rebuilding some buildings.

The council’s comments come after the chair of governors at the school, in The Gardens, West Harrow, wrote to councillors expressing her concerns about asbestos in the school’s buildings.

Mitzi Green, portfolio holder for children, schools and families, said: “The safety and wellbeing of children and young people throughout the borough is of paramount importance to us and we do not take the slightest risk when it comes to their health.

“Asbestos was a commonly used building material prior to being banned in the mid 1980s and it only poses a health risk if disturbed.

“An asbestos management survey was conducted at Vaughan Primary School in September 2010 and an asbestos management plan issued to the school.

“This is in accordance with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 and is to ensure that all areas which contain asbestos are not disturbed.

“If the current planning application is approved and the school is rebuilt, all asbestos will be removed and this potential risk to health will be completely eliminated. This is in the best interest of all parties and is proactive and forward thinking by the council.”

She added: “All measures will be taken in accordance with the stringent regulations to ensure that children and teachers’ health is not put at risk during any asbestos removal.

“A review of the school by the Harrow Schools Improvement Partnership in October concluded that children and parents felt the school was safe.”

Councillor Green’s comments come after chair of governors Pippa Lee wrote a letter to councillors to show her support for plans to redevelop the school.

One of the reasons she gave for supporting the redevelopment was that the governors are concerned about asbestos.

She wrote: “The junior school was built more than forty years ago as a temporary measure and was not expected to last for more than 20 years.

“There are issues with asbestos and as time goes by this is going to become a serious health risk.”