The bats had to share their tunnel with groups of 'ravers'

The former railway tunnel running between Horspath and Littleworth in Oxfordshire used to be a popular destination for illicit party-goers in the 1980s and 1990s.

Now conservationists have finished 12 months of work to create a new protected safe haven for the roosting colony that lives there.

The tunnel is set to receive a plaque, designating it as one of Oxfordshire's Jubilee Wildlife Spaces, from the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Hugo Brunner.

County councillor Anne Purse said: "Everyone is so pleased that the tunnel is being put to good use.

Wildlife conservation

"We have closed it in such a way that bats can come and go as they please but remain undisturbed and this is very gratifying."

The tunnel itself had been disused since Dr Beeching scrapped the Horspath to Littleworth branch line in Oxfordshire in the 1960s.

A wildlife conservation area was established in the former railway cutting between Horspath and Littleworth by local parish councillors in the 1980s.

But for years, the colony of bats that set up home in the tunnel found themselves sharing space with youngsters who gathered there for raves.

During the last year, a partnership between local councils, the Biodiversity Trust and the Esm�e Fairbairn Foundation has been working to build new walls to close the tunnel off to protect the colony from intruders.