COMBUSTIBLE cladding has been found on a North-East tower block, it has been confirmed tonight.

Thirteen Group has confirmed that following further, in-depth inspections, one of its high-rise residential buildings has been found to be partially clad with grade three cladding.

The group’s safety officials confirmed this to be the case at Kennedy Gardens in Billingham, following an assessment of the building.

The news follows the inferno that engulfed Grenfell Tower in London, leading to the deaths of more than 70 people.

Workmen were this morning putting up barriers around the site ahread of an assessment taking place.

Residents of the building on Teesside are being informed in person by Thirteen Group personnel.

The company says staff are on hand to provide reassurance and give practical advice on minimising fire risks.

It says immediate action to remove the cladding has been taken and contractors will be on site from Monday morning.

Thirteen Group Chief Executive Ian Wardle said: “We acted immediately to ensure the safety of our residents by checking and double checking the nature of the cladding on our buildings, where it exists.

"We had specified that the cladding should be fire retardant and following tests that have shown that this is not the case, work to remove the cladding will begin as soon as physically possible, and contractors will be on site from first thing Monday morning.

"Our team is now contacting residents of the building to make them aware and provide any practical assistance they might need.”