"Deadly" asbestos inside the structure of a Bedford middle school was not being properly managed according to health and safety bosses.

In April this year Bedford Borough Council was served with an improvement notice by the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) which claimed that the council had failed to review the asbestos management programme at Beauchamp Middle School in Hawk Drive.

The deadline for the council to make the improvements, which contravene the Health and Safety at Work Act and control of asbestos regulations, is September 24.

Michael Lees, spokesman for the Asbestos In Schools campaign group, said: "Asbestos in schools is more concerning than in any other environment. If you were in an office you wouldn't, for example, kick a football at the ceiling.

"But a child might and that could release the potentially deadly spores."

A mother with a child at Beauchamp, who we agreed not to name, claimed that she had confidence in the school.

She said: "I think they are doing something about it, it is not the school's fault, it is the council's.

"I know that the school are doing their best so I don't worry about my son."

Asbestos, which can cause lung cancer and respiratory illness, was used in building materials until the late 1990s and is still present in 90 per cent of Bedford schools.

A council spokesman said: "Following a visit by The Health and Safety Executive in April, an improvement notice was issued to the council regarding Beauchamp Middle School.

"However, the council and school had already worked together to remove the asbestos in question. As part of this work, air quality was also checked before and after to ensure there was no risk to pupil safety."

Is your child a pupil at Beauchamp? Let us know what you think by emailing editorial@timesandcitizen.co.uk