'DANGEROUS' chunks of cladding have plunged from West College Scotland's crumbling Finnart Street building - which need £15.5m of repairs.

College bosses are now facing calls to take immediate action after barriers were put round the building to protect those coming in and out.

Concerned union representatives today hit out at the huge maintenance backlog of the main campus, which sits in a busy built up area, amid fears for the safety of staff, students and members of the public.

West College Scotland say that no-one was injured in the incident and they are continuing to monitor the situation with building experts.

But EIS-FELA depute branch secretary and lecturer Mark Gillan is not happy.

He said: "Everyone should be entitled to attend their college and workplace with safety being of the highest priority.

"We would always hope the senior management team are aware of the importance of health and safety and the welfare of both students and staff to ensure they adhere to agreements and legislation."

The Tele was told that the safety barriers were blown away in the recent storms but the college remained open with no exclusion zone.

There are also concerns about water leaks in lecture rooms and flooding.

A recent report by the Scottish Funding Council showed a catalogue of repairs listed at the Finnart Street campus to the total of £15 million.

The cost of replacing the cladding would cost £500,000.

The former James Watt College, which merged to form West College Scotland five years ago, has also suffered a significant drop in the number of students.

Unions recently raised fears about the future of both the Finnart Street campus and its sister facility at the Waterfront.

West College Scotland say they are in talks with the Scottish Funding Council to secure investment for the Greenock facilities.

A added: "West College Scotland’s priority is the health and safety of our students and staff at all times.

"Barriers have been positioned at our Finnart Street campus as a precaution, following the dislodgement of a small section of cladding a few weeks ago.

"No one was injured as a result of this incident and the college is continuing to monitor the situation with building experts.

"There have been no other incidents.

"The Finnart Street building was constructed in the early 1970s and the condition of the external precast concrete cladding panels is consistent with a building of this age and construction.

"While the campus remains a safe and secure environment, we continue to work with the Scottish Funding Council to progress a business case for investment in our Greenock facilities."