HIGH-rise flats across Wirral are being inspected by a multi-agency task group in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Officers and representatives from Wirral Council, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and housing associaton Magenta Living are working in partnership to share relevant information and deal with any issues as they arise.

There are more than 18 high-rise towers in Wirral which are more than six storeys or 18 metres in height, 10 of these properties are currently in private ownership and eight are owned by Magenta Living.

Wirral Council does not own or manage any high rise accommodation.

An initial assessment has found no aluminium cladding similar to that used at Grenfell Tower on the Magenta Living owned properties.

An inspection is still ongoing on privately owned properties and will be completed by the end of this week however no aluminium-type cladding has been found so far.

The Communities and Local Government secretary Sajid Javid revealed yesterday that flammable cladding has been found on 75 high-rise buildings in 26 local authority areas across the UK.

Mr Javid also told the House of Commons that hospitals and schools will be tested to make sure they are not encased in combustible cladding.

A number of people injured in the Grenfell Tower tragedy remain in hospital and the emergency services are continuing the search for bodies.

Wirral Council’s housing team is contacting owners of privately-managed residential blocks to make sure they reassure residents, particularly those who live in high-rise properties that their safety is the utmost priority.

A council spokesperson said that if concerns arise about external cladding samples will be sent to the Buildings Research Establishment as a matter of urgency and the fire service will carry out a safety assessment and advise what remedial actions may be necessary.

Cllr George Davies, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the tragedy in north Kensington.

"What happened has shocked the whole country and people are rightly asking a lot of questions about the safety of people living in high-rise accommodation.

“We have convened this joint task group to work around the clock to build a picture of the situation we have here in Wirral and take action immediately if and when it is required.

"The group is also receiving and assessing information and developments across the whole country and our work will be fed directly back to the homes and communities agency and department for communities and local government.

“Residents living in high-rise accommodation can be assured that their safety is our number one priority and everything that can be done is being done to make the buildings they live in as safe as they can be.”