Guard hired to look after 'worms'

A football club is hiring a security guard to protect a colony of slow worms at the site of its new stadium.

Forest Green Rovers took the unusual step after vandals destroyed a wall which had been built to protect them.

The slow worms had to be preserved as part of the club's planning application for a new stadium near its current home in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire.

"When vandals knocked down the walls we had to take drastic action," said club vice chairman Colin Gardner.

"We have traps at the wall which collect them and we move them on to a safe environment."

The guard will have to ensure the wall remains intact and the traps are safe.