Three adult learning centres in Newcastle are "in dire need of repairs".

Westgate College, Westgate Skills Centre and Heaton Community Centre require roof and water leak repairs according to a city education chief. The state of these buildings has been described by one officer as a "constant worry".

Gillian Forrester, head of Newcastle City Learning said: "We are in dire need of repairs and we are in dire need of buildings that have solid roofs and are watertight."

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Ms Forrester continued: "I constantly worry about the buildings. In terms of Heaton, the wooden windows are falling out and it's a matter of time before one falls out at the wrong time.

"There is constant water ingress and problems with the heating system. Inside we have done a lot, we have redecorated, and we tried to do as much as we could to make it conducive to learning. But, there is also a part of the roof, which we have been told we can only replace with tiles and it'll blow off every time there is a storm unless we get the whole roof done, but clearly we don't have the money to do that.

"In Westgate, there is constant water coming in, we are constantly repairing and trying to keep on top of things. At the Skills Centre, which has 115 young people, the heating system has been repaired a million times.

"If it goes off, that's 115 young people with nowhere to go, that is what keeps me awake at night." The state of the Westgate campus had already been called into question by a 2021 Ofsted inspection.

The 2021 inspection report states: "Leaders and managers have not invested sufficiently in the buildings on the main campus where adult learning takes place to provide learners with a comfortable and inspiring environment in which to learn." The same Ofsted inspection did rate the adult learning service as 'Good' overall.

Internal renovations and redecoration within the adult learning facilities have been completed to improve the learning environment. However, the adult education service is entitled to grant funding to help refurbish buildings.

Mark Patton, the assistant director of education and skills, said he remained "incredibly proud" of the work done by adult education officers and remains "hopeful" money can be found to repair the venues. Funding decisions are expected to be determined following the completion of the council's ongoing property review.