Asbestos was found in a broken ceiling panel in the boys' changing room at Downham High School during a regular health- and-safety inspection on Monday shortly after 29 Year 11 students began a PE lesson.

On the inspecting officer's advice, the area was immediately sealed off and the lads were unable to collect their clothes, bags and other property left in the changing room.

The move has caused major problems for the students involved as many of them had coursework and revision notes essential to GCSE exams that they are taking in a fortnight's time in their bags.

Yesterday, headteacher Ian Bloom told the Lynn News: "We are in touch with the examination boards and my number one priority is to make sure that none of them are disadvantaged through what has happened."

A specialist team dealing with the asbestos is attempting to scan coursework from the boys' bags and give them a digital copy on a memory stick.

Staff are also checking other students' revision notes from the same course to see if they can help those affected.

One angry parent, Steven Skeels (44), of 22 Campsey Road, Southery, said: "I find it extraordinary that this has happened because the county council has an asbestos register and must know what's in those ceilings and walls.

'RUSSIAN ROULETTE'

"It's like playing Russian roulette with any students or teachers who have been in there because it could be 20 to 30 years down the road that they develop health problems, as they can't test for it."

He added: "An awful lot has been spent on revamping the school so why didn't they remove that asbestos then?"

Mr Skeels said his son, Karl (16), got four A*s and a B in his mock GCSEs and was now "absolutely devastated" because he wanted good grades in his exams to study law at Cambridge.

"Some of the coursework and revision notes crucial to his exams were in his bag, as well as his mobile phone, his driving licence and the keys to his moped," he said.

Mr Skeels said the school would pay for £150 worth of books he bought for Karl's studies to be replaced and on Wednesday returned the keys to his moped so he could use it again.

But he was told his clothes and £300 mobile phone in the bag would have to be destroyed as a precaution.

Mr Bloom has spoken to the boys and sent a letter to their parents.