PUPILS from St Davids may have to travel to Haverfordwest for lessons, while work to redevelop the city's current school is carried out.

Pembrokeshire County Council is looking at whether it could temporarily re-locate pupils at the Tasker Milward School site, while demolition and construction work takes place at Ysgol Dewi Sant (YDS).

There are concerns over asbestos - which becomes dangerous when disturbed - becoming exposed during the building process.

The council says the proximity of students to what will be a building site, the extra noise and disruption, and lack of play area, also contribute to the need to make alternative arrangements.

It stresses no decision has yet been made, and early discussions with the trustees of the Tasker Milward and Picton Trust are ongoing.

But if approved, the move would mean an extra 30-mile journey for pupils every day.

At a meeting on Tuesday (March 21), Cllr David Lloyd - Cabinet member for Education - told school governors the current YDS site offered little flexibility, and "decanting" pupils elsewhere could help during the building phase.

The proposed works will involve demolishing an existing school block and replacing it with new accommodation.

The work is needed as part of plans to combine YDS with Ysgol Bro Dewi and Solva primary schools to form a new 3-16 years school across three sites.

Regarding asbestos concerns, a county council spokesmand said most schools of a similar type and age to YDS tended to have asbestos, which was rigorously monitored in line with health and safety policy.

He added asbestos fibres only become harmful when disturbed or damaged.

The new school is expected to open on September 1, 2018, and a temporary governing body for the new school has already been established.