WINCHESTER civic chiefs have closed facilities at four city blocks of flats following a safety inspection.

The city council in Winchester has shut bin stores and refuse chutes at the four eight-storey blocks in Winnall.

They are Braxton, Craddock, Dennett and Earle houses, off Winnall Manor Road.

It follows an inspection by city council officers and staff from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Council leader Caroline Horrill told a full meeting of the city council that the decision came after fire service talks.

She said: “We have just received advice following the inspection.

“The fire officer did suggest additional measures be added to bin stores and refuse chutes.

“As a precaution we have temporarily decommissioned in each block whilst the work is being completed.

“We are working hard to reassure tenants that the existing fire safety measures are sufficient and appropriate for their circumstances.”

The four Winchester blocks are only eight storeys unlike Grenfell Tower which was over 20.

They do not have the aluminium composite cladding that is suspected of spreading the fire so quickly.