More evacuated tower block flats being assessed

The belongings of residents whose flats are being surveyed are being put into storage

Further surveys are being carried out at six flats in a tower block evacuated over safety fears.

All 400 tenants at Barton House in Bristol were forced to leave their homes on 14 November after major structural faults were discovered.

Most residents have since been staying in temporary hotel accommodation or with relatives and 15 households remain in the building.

The building was evacuated after initial building safety surveys were carried out on three flats, and the city council declared a major incident.

Buses were used during the evacuation operation

Currently 66 households have been moved into hotel accommodation.

Thirteen are staying with friends and family; four properties are empty or abandoned and 15 households have chosen to stay in the building.

The council has previously warned the "complex and intrusive" surveys mean further delays to their return.

Residents whose flats are being assessed have consented for their possessions to be removed and placed into storage.

In an update, Bristol City Council said hotel staff, council officers and local volunteers are supporting residents who are staying at a Holiday Inn "to make their temporary stay as comfortable as possible".

"Several activities are in place to provide support to families including morning and afternoon sessions for children delivered by a local youth charity and council family support officers, equipment for those feeding babies and offers of a range of sessions at a local youth club," the council added.

Measures to roll out a temporary emergency evacuation were taken after a survey revealed the building would not be able to withstand any high impact, fire or explosion.

The council previously explained Barton House, the city's oldest tower block, was built in a different way to other ones in Bristol, so it is not expecting the issue to be widespread.