CLADDING is being removed from tower blocks in Woodford Green in wake of the Grenfell disaster.

Redbridge Council has announced the cladding on the Orchard Estate off Broadmead Road will be upgraded "as a matter of urgency" after tests raised questions about residents' safety.

The council was one of the first in the country to carry out fire assessments across its 18 high-rise buildings in wake of the blaze at Grenfell Tower in west London on June 14. 

No trace of aluminium composite material, believed to be the reason the Grenfell flames spread so quickly, has been found on any Redbridge tower blocks.

But the council has still decided to change the Orchard Estate's "solid alumnium 1990s cladding".

A spokesman said: "There are two types of cladding on the Orchard Estate.

"One has determined to be fine, the other is solid aluminium panelling, but we have taken the decision to upgrade this as a matter of urgency.

"The safety of residents and our housing blocks is of critical important to us."

At a council meeting on Thursday (June 22), council leader Jas Athwal promised sprinkler systems and centralised fire alarms will be "looked into in the coming months" - as they are not currently in place.