A CAMPAIGNER whose wife died after working in a school which contained asbsetos is calling for more done to protect the isle’s kids.

After a debate brought by Lib Dem MP and former headteacher Paul Rowen in Parliaments Westminster Hall last month, the government said it is confident schools are safe enough without having it removed.

Campaigner Michael Lees has been calling for asbestos to be removed from schools since his wife Gina, a teacher, died of mesothelioma, the cancer caused by asbestos.

He said: "It’s understandable if not well advised to leave asbestos in the workplaces of adults, but I think to have it in schools is dangerous.

"Kids crash around, they bash into walls and throw things at the ceiling, and this can release the asbestos.

"Whereas with most ways you hurt yourself you know about it, when you are in contact with asbestos you don’t know about it and can go on being at risk day after day.

"The government hasn’t promised to remove it from the secondary schools they are rebuilding, and nothing is being done to remove it from primary schools."

South Thanet MP Steve Ladyman, who called for an investigation into the problem, said all schools in the area should have their asbestos removed within three years.

The Labour MP said: "It is only dangerous if someone disturbs it, so by managing the school properly you can make sure it is not disturbed. If it is sealed away it is safer than just going in and taking it away. New schools will be built free of asbestos in the future."

"The building schools for the future scheme will see that new schools are built free of asbestos.", and money should be available for any schools, like Dame Janet or Newlands who are not included in that."

His views were echoed by Andy Somers, headteacher of Hartsdown college, whose buildings contain asbestos.

He said: "We have actually had some of ours removed and the rest is well managed. We have procedures in place and don’t let anyone work on the school until we’re are 100 per cent sure it is safe. These will see us through until the school is rebuilt in 2011."

North Thanet MP Roger Gale was unavailable for comment.

Should asbestos be left in our schools? Or does the safety of Thanet’s kids demand quicker action?

Email newsdesk.thanet@krnmedia.co.uk or leave a comment.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos was widely used between the 1950s and 1980s to fireproof floors and insulation. Many of the school buildings which remain today were built in this period.

Breathing in the fibres can cause potentially fatal diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Affected schools

Bromstone Primary, Callis Grange Nursery and Infant School, Chatham House Grammar School, Cliftonville Primary School, Dame Janet Infant and Junior Schools, Dane Court Grammar Schools, Drapers Mills Primary School, Garlinge Primary, Hartsdown Technology College, Holy Trinity and St John’s primary, King Ethelbert School, Laleham Gap, Monkton CEP School, Newington Community Primary, Newlands Primary, Ramsgate Christ Church Junior School, Salmestone primary, St Ethelbert’s primary, St Gregory’s primary, St Joseph’s primary, St Laurence-in-Thanet juniors, St Nicholas-at-Wade primary, Stone Bay school, Hereson School for Boys, Upton Juniors, Ursuline College.