A POTENTIALLY harmful substance has been discovered at a Rubery school which caters for hundreds of students.

The asbestos was found at Waseley Hills High School, in School Road, by workers who were carrying out repairs on the roof at the premises.

Action was immediately taken to stop the spread of contamination from the substance which has been linked to respiratory diseases in people who come into contact with it.

Headteacher David Thurbon said the top floor of the school, which contained offices and classrooms, was blocked off and pupils moved to other classrooms.

He added: "We had to close two or three classrooms but there was no disruption to pupils -- we just relocated them.

"The asbestos has been removed and we are back to normal now."

Bromsgrove district councillor Peter McDonald (Lab, Uffdown and Waseley), also a governor at the school, said: "Contractors have been repairing the roof and found asbestos last Monday, April 2.

"Four rooms were sealed off."

Worcestershire County Council's property officer, Jerry Tudge, said: "The source of the asbestos has been identified, sealed and removed and there's no danger to the health of pupils or staff."