Fire doors at several schools are set to be replaced after they failed safety tests. 

Harrow Council confirmed it will spend almost £1 million to update the doors at a number of schools in the borough – Canon Lane Primary, Newton Farm, Pinner Wood, Shaftesbury High, Pinner Park, Roxbourne and Grimsdyke. 

It explained the current doors are outdated and do not comply with regulations in place to protect staff and pupils. 

A council report noted: "Many of the existing fire doors across a number of our schools are original to the building or installations that have been in place for a significant number of years, which would have complied with the fire regulations and standards at the time of construction.

"The current condition of these doors, along with any alterations and change of components that have taken place over time, would suggest that they now no longer meet current standards or provide the protection for which they are intended."

The new doors will offer a minimum of 30 minutes of protection from smoke and fire and will ensure escape routes are not obstructed.

Council officers expect the project to cost around £915,000, which will be financed through a grant from the Department for Education. 

Cllr Varsha Parmar noted the council has a "duty" to ensure the schools for which it has maintenance responsibility are safe. 

She was supported by schools lead councillor Christine Robson, who said she was "very pleased" to see the issue being addressed.