Construction work has already begun at Ysgol Clywedog

Wrexham council needs to find the extra cash after the initial �12m set aside was ruled not enough.

The cost of merging three Wrexham secondary schools and creating two new ones has risen to �15m.

Local authority leader Shan Wilkinson said the price had risen largely due to inflation in construction and special educational needs for pupils.

"We have to ask some tough questions about how we got into this situation particuarly over the inflation element," she said.

"I think we need to look very hard at the way this project was developed to make sure that we don't make that sort of error again."

The council has pledged to find the extra cash, but it could mean the plans being scaled down.

As long as it doesn't dilute the scheme, I'm sure the council will deal with this issue themselves School governor Martin Jones

Plans for all-weather pitches and new covered areas to keep pupils out of the wet and cold may now have to be dropped.

The Groves High School, St David's and Bryn Offa have closed and two new ones created.

Modernised

The new schools, Ysgol Clywedog and Rhosnesni High, are both being extensively modernised.

Martin Jones, who has a son at Rhosnesni High School and is chairman of the temporary board of governors at the school, said he was concerned about the overspend.

"Why move the children for 12 months in order to remodernise the building if it's not going to be done.. .they've made a sacrifice," he said.

"As long as it doesn't dilute the scheme, I'm sure the council will deal with this issue themselves."

Three options were put forward to councillors on Tuesday, including one to remove or delay parts of the school plans.

One idea could be to call off a proposal for an all-weather pitch at Rhosnesni, which is due to cost �298,000.

Plans costing �266,000 to upgrade a shale pitch at Clywedog into an all-weather pitch could also be under threat.

Plans for covered areas - or "glazed links" - to prevent pupils having to go outside as they travel between classrooms for both schools may also have to be put off. These would cost �137,000.

Wrexham may also ask the assembly government for more money and look within the council for extra funding.

The Groves school buildings will still be used until 2005, but it is now known as the Penymaes site, housing pupils from Rhosnesni High School.

The two new schools will place a larger emphasis on vocational courses.

Wrexham council had previously funded the project by selling local authority property.