Appeal to Brymbo school parents as rat problem 'solved'

A school head teacher is urging parents to let their children return to classrooms after a rat infestation.

The rodents were found at St Mary's aided school at Brymbo in Wrexham two weeks ago, and experts were called in to deal with the problem.

On Monday, 30 children failed to turn up after the half-term holidays and on Wednesday 10 were still absent, despite safety assurances.

The school said the problem had now been sorted out.

In a joint statement from Wrexham's chief learning and achievement officer John Davies and the school's head Mark Jones, they said they were trying to allay parents' concerns.

"The problem has been dealt with by professional agencies and is now resolved," they insisted.

"All areas of the school are safe for children and staff. Parents should consider this very carefully before they make a decision to keep their children away from school."

A reception class and the nursery unit at the school was closed after the infestation was found last month.

But rat catchers were sent in and the classrooms are now said to be clear, although a toilet block remains closed.

Speaking on Tuesday, local councillor Paul Rogers, a school governor, said: "The issue has been resolved, but a large number of children are not attending.

"A significant number of parents are still feeling concerned and we're trying to reassure them."

Mr Rogers said the school, which is more than 100 years old, had experienced rat infestation several times before and he was liaising with council leaders about the problem.