 Worshippers at St Hilda's fear the bats pose a health hazard |
Churchgoers trying to save their church from damage caused by a rare breed of bat think they may have come up with a solution. St Hilda's at Ellerburn near Thornton-le-Dale in North Yorks is home to a colony of rare natterers bats.
Bat urine and faeces are damaging the interior but by law they cannot be removed from the church.
Now a special space above the lychgate outside the church has been built and it is hoped the bats will move.
The church stands on a site thought to have been occupied by a monastery founded in 647 AD and there is evidence of a Saxon building below the present nave.
English Nature has given advice on how to persuade the bats to move of their own accord as it is an offence to damage, destroy or obstruct an access used by bats.
However, it is likely to be next spring before the congregation knows if the bats have moved home to the lychgate.
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