Asbestos has been found in more than half of schools in Scotland — including 90 per cent in one area, alarming figures reveal.

The toxic substance is linked to cancer and lung damage and is considered the world’s biggest workplace killer.

Its prevalence in schools across the country has sparked fears for the health of pupils and teachers

The building material was discovered in 58 per cent of schools across the 32 council areas in Scotland.

This soared to 90 per cent in Clackmannanshire, 80 per cent in West Lothian and 79 per cent in Aberdeen City.

Scottish Tory local government spokesman Miles Briggs, below, said: “Many people will be shocked by the huge prevalence of asbestos in Scotland’s schools, particularly parents who will be rightly concerned for their children.

“The danger to health posed by asbestos is well documented. While we know that it is unlikely to be inhaled unless a building is damaged, parents across Scotland want the peace of mind of knowing that their children are not at risk.

“But years of savage cuts to council budgets by the SNP government have left our local authorities without the resources they need to remove this potential hazard from schools.”

Want to see more SNP fails? – Health Matters