SCHOOLS across the borough will be able to keep a spare asthma inhaler for use in emergencies following a year-long campaign for a law change by Cradley's MP.

Margot James spoke out in August 2013 against a policy change which had led to schools in Dudley and across the UK being told they could no longer keep generic inhalers on site for use by any pupil suffering an asthma emergency.

The Conservative MP, who joined forces with Asthma UK to campaign for the ban to be reversed, had been concerned the policy was "putting lives at serious risk of a medical emergency and even death".

However, following a public consultation, Health Minister Jane Ellison has now confirmed legislation will be put in place to over-turn the policy and the effects will come into force on October 1.

Ms James said: “It is essential that schools are able to hold spare inhalers as soon as possible, so I am delighted the Government has listened to the concerns of local parents and teachers in Stourbridge and acted accordingly.

"The change in the law will come into place early in the new school year, allowing schools to help better protect the million children across the country who suffer from asthma.”

Kay Boycott, chief executive of Asthma UK, said: “Asthma kills the equivalent of a classroom of children every year in the UK.

"This change in the law will undoubtedly be a huge relief to parents so we are delighted the Government has made this historic commitment – which follows a long fought campaign by Asthma UK and supported by Margot James MP - to keeping children with asthma safe at school."

Rowena Jeremy, whose eight-year-old son Owen died at Russells Hall Hospital after suffering an asthma attack at Wordsley’s Fairhaven Primary School, is among those who backed the law change.

She said: "It's fantastic news that children will be a lot safer in school."