A COUNCIL has suspended its use of a Furness training farm and estate to provide education to troubled teenagers over safeguarding concerns.

Westmorland and Furness Council said a decision to suspend its use of Cowran Estates in Pennington for alternative education provision was 'not taken lightly'.

But it said it was not satisfied by safeguarding and health and safety measures in place.

The council said the decision had followed a recent review.

The estate provides education under Cowran Training and has helped young people to achieve qualifications outside of mainstream education.

A Westmorland and Furness Council spokesman said: “Following a recent review, Westmorland and Furness Council has decided to suspend its use of Cowran Estates in delivering Alternative Education Provision.

“As a council we were not fully assured that the appropriate safeguarding, health and safety measures were in place to deliver educational provision to the standards we would expect.

"We have not taken this decision lightly.

“We have communicated this decision to the small number of parents and education providers affected and have been working with them to source suitable alternative arrangements for their children.”

Cowran Estates has been contacted for comment.