Building work on one of the sites of Borehamwood's new secondary school was interrupted recently after the discovery of a colony of great crested newts.

The protected species were found in a pond in the grounds of Holmshill School, which the county council is now seeking Government permission to safeguard.

Construction on that part of the site has been suspended until permission is granted by the Department of Environment to install amphibian proof netting.

The netting will prevent the newts being affected by nearby building work, and the council eventually hopes to restore the pond to protect the habitat for years to come.

Education committee chairman Keith Emsall said: 'As soon as it was discovered that this protected species of great crested newts inhabited the pool, we ordered builders to lay down their tools while we consulted conservation experts.'

Holmshill School, in Thrift Farm Lane, will open as the upper site of Hertswood School in September 2001, while the lower site, at Hawksmoor School, in Cowley Hill, will open in September of this year.