Failure to take inflation into account has delayed plans

It was originally estimated that Wrexham Council's plan to merge three of the town's secondary schools into two new "super schools" would cost �12m, but the cost has now nearly doubled.

Last month councillors voted in favour of spending extra money on the scheme after they sold a plot of land on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.

Now headteachers at Rhosnesni High School and Ysgol Clywedog are being asked if the plans can be scaled down without affecting educational standards.

Under the plans, pupils from three schools - Bryn Offa, St David's and the Groves merged to join the new schools.

Construction work has already begun at Ysgol Clywedog

The two new secondary schools, teaching nearly 2,500 children, will place a greater emphasis on vocational courses.

The original amount of money set aside for the project was found to be too small after it was revealed that the cost of inflation had not been built into the calculations.

In October an extra �3m in funding was promised by the local authority after spiralling costs sent the scheme over budget.

Councillors agreed to save nearly �250,000 by scrapping plans to build a grass pitch at Ysgol Clywedog, floodlighting at both Rhosnesni High and Clywedog and plans to lease computer equipment.

Councillors will meet on Tuesday to update members on the project's progress.