A BAN on the use of medium density fibreboard (MDF) in Darlington schools is to be lifted after six years.

Darlington Borough Council imposed the ban on using the controversial material in design and technology lessons in 1998, in response to concerns about health risks.

There were fears that if cut or sanded, MDF would produce a fine dust, causing problems for asthmatic youngsters.

But the council was recently asked by several secondary schools to consider re-introducing the material.

School officials were keen to see it used again because it is cheaper than wood and gives pupils valuable craft experience.

A task group was formed to investigate the issue, and the decision has now been made to bring MDF back to the classroom.

Task group members visited several schools to see what measures for dust extraction were already being used.

Hummersknott School and Language College was identified as having good procedures in place.

The lifting of the ban, if approved by council cabinet members, will be subject to stringent conditions, including regular safety inspections, monitoring of dust levels and that hand power tools be fitted with dust extractors.

Hand-held power tools bought for use in schools in future will also have to be fitted with dust extraction devices. Current tools being used in schools will need to be upgraded.

Dust masks and safety spectacles should also be made available for use by staff and pupils.

A meeting of the council's lifelong learning scrutiny committee discussed the matter in the town hall yesterday.

Councillor Tom Nutt said: "Just because we lift the ban, it still doesn't mean schools have to use MDF. They can make their own judgement on it.

"No other authority followed Darlington's lead in banning MDF. It is important that the students gain experience of working with it prior to leaving education."

Schools' progress after the lifting of the ban would be considered again after six months.