The county recently completed a £1.2m survey of its buildings containing asbestos, a material that was commonly used in the construction trade before its toxicity and carcinogenic dangers were known.

It has now issued a list of all the schools in the county that have asbestos including nearly 30 in Mid Sussex.

The list features some of the biggest including the area's four secondary schools – Oathall, Downlands, Oakmeeds and Warden Park – and some of its larger primary schools including Lindfield, Blackthorns, Harlands, and Manor Field.

Smaller primaries include West Hoathly, St Peter's Ardingly, St Giles in Horsted Keynes, Twineham, Turners Hill and Bolney and two infants schools – Hassocks and The Gattons in Burgess Hill.

But head teachers have spoken out to reassure parents that their buildings are safe.

A spokesman for the county said: "It will not be uncommon given the age of many school buildings to find asbestos material used during the construction but this only ever becomes a hazard when it is disturbed."

Read the full story in the Mid Sussex Times

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