RESIDENTS of two Portsmouth tower blocks will have to move out of their homes because of concerns over the strength of the concrete used to build them.

Occupants of the 272 flats in Leamington House and Horatian House in the Somers Town have been told they will have to move out of their homes by next spring.

The issue came to light following the Grenfell Tower disaster during a structural survey ordered by the local authority on the blocks built in the 1960s .

The council said the blocks would not be able to cope with a major incident like a gas explosion. There is no gas supply to the blocks.

Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: “It is very important that people realise there is no immediate danger from day-to-day living in the buildings, but, as our number one priority is resident safety, we are starting the process of moving people to new homes.”