The Whitehaven Academy has today re-opened its doors after it was closed earlier in the week following an asbestos disturbance at the school.

A routine asbestos survey on Tuesday found that building materials containing asbestos had been disturbed in two areas of the school - forcing the school to close.

Students in years 10-14 were today allowed to return to the site, with the school saying "the vast majority of the occupied site has been completed".

Investigations found that the asbestos is contained to two areas in the school and that there is no risk of it spreading to other parts of the school.

The school insists there is no threat to staff and pupils and that the work to remove the remaining asbestos will be carried out this weekend.

Surveyors have completed all three floors of the 'main building' (A block), both floors of the 'maths/French building' (B block) and key areas such as the reception (C block), canteens and toilets.

No access will be allowed to staff and students to any areas yet to be surveyed.

The academy will remain closed to year 7-9 students, until surveying has been carried out on the remaining two buildings.

In order to reassure parents that the buildings are safe, a representative of West Coast Surveys (a Workington asbestos management company) has issued the following statement:

"I have now completed the asbestos management survey in blocks A, B and the admin only C block.

"Although asbestos is present on site I have not found any more that requires immediate attention and I am happy for areas surveyed to be re-occupied."