A SENIOR councillor has raised concerns following the news that three local schools are coated in the same type of cladding used on Grenfell Tower.

SNP leader Chris McEleny is unhappy at the way the announcement about St Columba's High, Kilmacolm Primary and Lomond View Academy was handled by Inverclyde Council.

He claims elected members and committee representatives were kept in the dark about the situation and has also questioned the substance of the council's public statement.

He believes it is inadequate and that parents need more detailed information about the situation.

Cllr McEleny said: "Members of the education committee have had zero update from the convener on this matter but many have learned the outcome again via The Greenock Telegraph.

"I don't think it is good enough for parent and teacher representatives to have to rely on the local press to be updated on such an important matter.

"I also have concerns about the wording of the statement, an "ACM type cladding was used but was installed according to building regulations".

"I'm not sure how exactly this is an assurance as from what I've been watching on the news one of the major flaws in the horrible Grenville tragedy was that this cladding somehow also passed building regulations.

"I think parents, councillors and members of the school community deserve a more comprehensive explanation.

"You cannot be too careful or too meticulous when it comes to a matter like this."