LONDON -- An endangered newt is posing quite the nuisance for one British police force.
Durham Constabulary says the building of its new police headquarters has been delayed following the discovery of newts on the grounds near its site.
The department said it is waiting to hear back from Natural England, the body responsible for protecting Britain's environment, on when it can proceed with construction.
Adrian Vass, Natural England's area manager, said Friday the case is "the highest priority" and it is working "flat out" to ensure that the great crested newts can be safely moved.
The endangered newt's population has declined dramatically during the last century.
Vass noted that since great crested newts hibernate underground in the winter, the earliest that development work could go ahead would be in May 2013.
