ASBESTOS has been removed from 10 of the 37 Caerphilly County Borough Council schools found to contain the potentially-harmful material.

In July this year, the council’s cabinet approved the £800,000 project which would see asbestos products removed from occupied areas of county school buildings.

Before the project began, arrangements were put in place to manage asbestos in schools in compliance with legal requirements, but the removal work will ensure that the risk of accidental disturbance of asbestos-containing materials will be eliminated.

A council report showed last week that the council spent nearly £1 million removing asbestos as part of the closure of Cwmcarn High School.

The school was shut in October 2012 over fears its pupils were at risk after asbestos was found.

Removal projects have been completed at Bedwas Junior School, Cefn Fforest Primary, Fleur de Lys Primary, Fochriw Primary, Hendre Infants, Hendredenny Park Primary, St Cenydd School, St Martin’s School, Ystrad Mynach Primary and Deri Primary.

Projects are also currently in progress at phase two are Cefn Fforest Primary, Graig y Rhacca Primary, Libanus Primary, Pontllanfraith Comprehensive, St Martin’s School and Llancaeach Junior School.

A council spokeswoman said: “The works will see 95 per cent of schools free from asbestos. The remaining five per cent of schools will have the materials boarded-over and sealed.” She added.