The asbestos was disturbed during work yesterday when a contractor drilled through boards at the Flora Stevenson Primary school in Edinburgh.

The school was immediately evacuated and closed down while clean-up work takes place.

Head of Schools, Mike Rosendale, said: “Pupils at Flora Stevenson’s Primary School were relocated to a local high school on Thursday morning as a precaution, after a small amount of asbestos was disturbed.

“An independent inspection was carried out on Thurdsay afternoon and has indicated that the building is safe.

“A full clean will now take place with the aim of reopening the school on Monday.”