'Mystery' reptiles delay opening of new school building in Wales

The opening of a new school building in Wales has been delayed by two years thanks to some mystery slithery creatures living at the site.

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwrwas, a Welsh-medium school (that means all the lessons are taught in Welsh) in Brackla, Bridgend, was meant to move to a new location this September, but that has now been pushed back until September 2027.

The council said "the presence of reptiles at the new site has caused a delay to the completion of the ecology work". That means checking how animals, plants and nature might be affected by building the new school.

The council hasn't said which reptiles are on the site, but they're likely to be either slow-worms, grass snakes, adders or common lizards which are often found in areas of the UK and are protected by law.

Four reptile species are known to live within the county of Bridgend, including adders (the UK's only venomous snake, but very shy)

Conservative South Wales West Senedd member Altaf Hussain said the delay was "devastating news for parents in Bridgend who wish for their children to learn through the medium of Welsh".

Education Secretary Lynne Neagle from the Welsh government called the delay "regrettable" and said £500,000 had been provided for expansion of the existing school, with two temporary classroom buildings from this September.

The new school building has cost £18.6 million with room for 525 children aged four to 11.

For now children at the school will have to stay put and the reptiles will soon be rehomed.

A spokesman for Bridgend County Borough Council told the BBC: "The relocation of the reptiles is expected to take place over the coming summer period and further site investigation works will then be able to take place following the removal of the remaining scrub and brambles."