AN improvement notice has been served on South Gloucestershire Council to ensure that it carries out work to prevent the release of asbestos in 15 of its schools.

But the council has denied claims from an asbestos watchdog that it was failing to protect pupils and staff from the material's dangers.

The Asbestos in Schools group said several councils had received notices for breaches under the Control of Asbestos Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act.

It said it showed that some local authorities and schools "were not taking the necessary measures to manage their asbestos to prevent it being damaged, and exposing the staff and children to dangerous asbestos fibres".

The notices were issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which said the one served on South Gloucestershire Council was to ensure it gave priority to planned remedial work to seal gaps in school buildings through which asbestos fibres could potentially be released.

HSE spokeswoman Jo Page said: "As an employer, the local authority has responsibility for managing asbestos in schools under its control. It has assured us that the work will soon be completed."

The council said it strongly refuted the claim that its schools were failing to protect staff and children from the dangers of asbestos. It said initial guidance published in 2006 by the HSE related specifically to a certain type of system built school building which the council did not have.

Council spokeswoman Sarah Hudspith said: "These plans have been inspected by the HSE, which is satisfied the council is doing everything possible to manage the situation."