PUPILS' return to a secondary school after the summer break has been delayed because of unfinished building work.

Year-seven students due to start at Parkside in Cullingworth on September 7 will now not begin lessons until Monday, September 11.

And all other pupils will return on September 12, rather than on September 8.

The secondary school alerted people to the situation through social media.

And a statement explaining the circumstances, from head teacher Andy Taylor and governing body chairman Umberto Vietri, has been posted on the school website.

In it, they say work on a "significant expansion programme" began at the Parkside Terrace site at Easter.

They were informed by the local authority contractors on Monday that due to unforeseen circumstances, the work had not been completed on schedule.

"We cannot have a situation whereby the health and safety of students is put at risk nor can the works being undertaken be 'shortcut' and not provide the level of quality everyone has agreed to," said Mr Taylor and Mr Vietri.

"Staff and students returning to an 'unfinished school' is clearly not acceptable.

"We would like to take this opportunity to apologise for having to make the decision at such short notice but feel the welfare of all is paramount.

"We will be taking the matter up with the local authority."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "We apologise to parents and pupils for the delayed opening date at Parkside School and the disruption this has caused.

"All work will be finished this week to allow the school to reopen in improved facilities with capacity for an extra 127 pupils."