The Scours Lane traffic scheme, part of the £515m Reading Station redevelopment is at risk after a rare species of lizard was found on the Cow Lane Allotments, although so far it has only been spotted by one of the allotment holders fighting to save their patch of dirt.

Leader of the Council David Sutton was adamant that the discovery would not thwart his plans. "I don't see why the little lizards should get protection," he told us, although we do believe that he may have been referring to the allotment holders. He continued: "Council inspectors will be visiting the site in hob-nailed boots to verify the claims."

The allotment holders, however, are confident that the Yangtse River Dolphin, the Siberian tiger and the dodo will be found hiding in the Cow Lane allotments over the coming months.