Cladding on three tower blocks in Cricklewood are to be removed following the fire at Grenfell Tower.

The cladding panels on three tower blocks in Granville Road will be removed  as a "precautionary measure", Barnet Council and Barnet Homes announced today.

Reports of the cladding panels being the same as those on Grenfell Tower surfaced earlier this week, but the council said the insulation behind those panels are non-combustible and therefore different to those in north Kensington.

Recent inspections of similar panels from blocks outside Barnet have also failed government safety inspections.

Leader of the Council Cllr Richard Cornelius said resident safety is the council's "number one priority".

He said: "While the difference in the cladding system at Granville Road mitigates the fire risk, we are not prepared to take any chances with the safety of residents and have therefore jointly taken the decision with Barnet Homes to remove the cladding on the three tower blocks as a precautionary measure.”

Samples from the panels on Granville Road blocks have been sent to the Department of Communities and Local Government to be tested and inspected.

Granville Road tower blocks also have fire stops, which are non-combustible.

Following the deaths of more than 75 people at Grenfell Tower, it was announced earlier today that a potential manslaughter charge may be brought about in light of the panels failing a safety inspection.

Barnet Homes has written to all residents in Granville Road regarding these changes and will be testing their white goods to ensure their safety.