The results of tests are due on a 56-year-old man who is being treated for the symptoms of rabies in a Scottish hospital.

David McRae, from Guthrie, in Angus, is believed to have been infected when he was bitten by a Daubenton's bat and remains in a critical condition at Ninewells hospital in Dundee.

Doctors believe the animal lover and artist may have been infected by the strain of rabies European Bat Lyssavirus (EBL).

Rabies is a serious infection of the nervous system that is caused by a virus which is usually transmitted by a bite from an infected animal.

Doctors are awaiting test results

Mr McRae may have been bitten months ago as the disease is slow to incubate.

If it emerges that the father-of-two does have rabies, he will be the first Briton to contract the infection in the UK for 100 years.

Medical experts are warning that if blood, saliva and skin biopsy tests prove positive, Mr McRae has no chance of survival.

Neighbours have spoken of their shock after discovering that he was critically ill in hospital.

One man, who did not wish to be named, said: "We couldn't believe it when we heard. It just doesn't seem real in this day and age.

Public advice

"He keeps himself pretty much to himself but we know that he is really into working with bats and doing conservation work."

Mr McRae is a close friend of the mountaineer and Mount Everest conqueror Doug Scott.

In 1995 he accompanied Mr Scott on an expedition to Papua New Guinea, where he painted watercolour images of the landscapes.

Neighours in Guthrie are shocked

Some of these are displayed, alongside his many pictures of animals, including bats, on a the Gatley Gallery website - http://www.gatley.demon.co.uk/cat_david.htm

Meanwhile, the conservation body Scottish Natural Heritage has instructed all of its workers to avoid contact with bats until the case is fully investigated.

The public are also being warned not to be alarmed as only those who handle bats or have been bitten or scratched would be at risk.

The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) said it was extremely concerned for the welfare of Mr McRae.

Amy Coyte, joint chief executive of the BCT, said: "We have known for many years that certain bat species found in EBL - this is a rabies-related virus, but not classical (sylvatic) rabies.

"People across the continent live with these bats quite happily because they are aware of EBL and take appropriate precautions."

An NHS Helpline 0800 783 5066 - has been set up in Tayside to offer reassurance and advice.