A special report into fire safety in high-rise residential blocks has revealed that the majority of Birmingham’s high rise accommodation is unsafe.

BBC’s Inside Out report, to be aired tonight (25 October) at 7.30pm, will show tower blocks are falling short of fire safety measures particularly in common areas.

Fire screens installed in the communal areas of Bakeman House, recently refurbished for around £4 million, do not comply with fire safety standards and would fail in a fire, the investigation found.

Birmingham City Council told the BBC it planned fire safety work in 64 of its tower blocks by the end of its financial year.

The investigation also found many tower blocks in the area are more than 50 years old, out-dated and run-down.

Among the blocks visited by the BBC and fire surveyor Arnold Tarling was Douglas House in Coventry.

While there was no immediate risk of fire at Douglas House, Mr Tarling found breaches in fire safety legislation.

Whitefriars Housing, who runs the block, told the BBC that it had conducted the right safety checks: "Our customers' safety is our chief concern. We have conducted in-depth fire risk assessments three times in the past year,” it said.

"We are satisfied that these blocks meet appropriate safety levels. In each case the assessments, with the fire service in attendance, identified that there are no significant fire safety concerns with these blocks.

"As is always the case, there will be ongoing repair requirements which we will continue to deal with as and when they occur."

It comes after fire safety investigators earlier this year found government buildings to be in breach of fire safety regulations.

Fire safety in social housing hit the headlines in August 2009, after six people died in a fire at 12-storey Lakanal House, in London.

Watch the full report on BBC Inside Out West Midlands and BBC Inside Out East on Monday 25 October at 7.30pm.