The company responsible for building Bromsgrove's new £60million school scheme is the same firm which built the troubled magistrates courts in Worcester and Redditch.

Both courts have had trouble with heat and ventilation systems since they were built, but official sources have moved swiftly to allay any fears that Bromsgrove's planned new schools could suffer the same fate.

HBG Construction Midlands Ltd built the new Worcester magistrates court and Redditch magistrates court, along with other courts in the area, as part of a similar Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project four years ago.

However, since the completion of the prestigious projects, staff have had to cope with soaring temperatures and stuffy rooms.

HBG Construction is the firm set to start work on North Bromsgrove High School, in School Drive, South Bromsgrove High School, in Charford Road, Sidemoor First School, off Perryfields Road, and also Meadows First and Parkside Middle School, in Stourbridge Road.

Nick McCarthy, from the Association of Magisterial Officers (AMO) trade union, said: "Our members have suffered with very high temperatures and also a bad atmosphere in the buildings because of ventilation.

"Managers at the courts have been highly critical of the quality of the accommodation and have raised serious questions. At the heart of members'concerns is the quality of work."

But a spokesman for HBG PFI Projects said there was no need for any concern.

"HBG has an extensive PFI education portfolio, which now includes 24 schools and colleges nationwide. The company has an exemplary record as a provider of quality school projects," he said.

"HBG was selected on the basis of providing the highest quality and the Bromsgrove local community can be confident that the PFI schools project will provide new state-of-the-art schools which will help improve standards in education and provide community facilities that everyone should be able to enjoy."

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said HBG Construction was chosen after its bid was submitted and fulfilled all criteria.

"If there have been any issues in the past with other projects it is not a concern at the moment. If there are problems, the company will have the responsibility to put it right," he said.