Divebombing seagulls trap 'terrified' children inside during hottest day of the year

Schoolchildren have been shut indoors during the hottest day of the year because of menacing seagulls.

Ysgol Eifion Wyn in Porthmadog, Wales has been forced to keep children off the playground during break-time at least twice this week as herring gulls have been swooping around the heads of parents, teachers and kids.

The divebombing seagulls have left the school in "lockdown", in fear of their sharp beaks.

The situation is so dire that some parents have reported being "too scared" to pick up their children.

Seagulls nest on the roof of the school, and swoop down on anyone who dares venture outside.

It is believed their aggressive behaviour is aimed at protecting their chicks.

Gwynedd Council has been informed. Headteacher Carys Jones has been in touch with the RSPCA, RSPB, and pest control at Gwynedd Council in a bid to tackle the problem.

But some parents are warning that someone could be seriously injured by the birds unless action is taken quickly.

Dawn Jones, whose six and three-year-old children attend the school said numerous complaints have been made to the council about the aggressive behaviour of the birds.

Mrs Jones said: "The children have not been allowed to go out to play at break times for fear of injury to them."

This has happened twice this week when temperatures have reached 30C, she added.

The mum-of-two said the problem with seagulls was far from being a one-off: "This is not an isolated incident but one the school suffered last year too but nothing was done then either.

"There are seagulls all around the school complex and at present they have chicks.

"This has led to the adult seagulls becoming very aggressive towards anyone who walks around the school yard.

"They are swooping low and aiming at peoples heads.

"The adults are worried about dropping off and collecting their children and the children are becoming terrified to go to school. Even the staff have been attacked.

"The head teacher has as always been fantastic with trying to resolve this situation and the staff are doing all they can."

Headteacher Mrs Jones insists that, with the help of Gwynedd Council, the issue will be resolved before the end of the week.

Local councillor Nia Jeffreys says it is now important to prevent the seagulls from returning to the school to nest next year.