Rat infestation closes school

The rats mean an extended holiday for pupils

A secondary school in Wales has been forced to close for a week, not because of teacher shortages, but because of a rat infestation.

The problem at Ysgol y Preseli school in Crymych, Pembrokeshire came to light last week.

The safety of the pupils is of paramount importance

Pembrokeshire County Council

Pest controllers have been brought in to block off the rodents' access routes to the school site.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: "We have been doing work to try to close off the access that the rodents are using".

"The work is not finished yet and the safety of the pupils is of paramount importance," said the spokesman.

"The children probably aren't disappointed about not coming in - I'd like to think they were, but children being children, they're probably excited about having a day off," he said.

Education director Gerson Davies said the rodent activity appeared to be limited to one end of that site.

"However occupation of the affected areas will be counter-productive to effective rodent control and it has been decided not to reopen the school this week," he said.

The school is expected to re-open on Monday.