Pembrokeshire is home to 7% of the UK's greater horseshoe bats

People converting manor houses, stables and churches into living accommodation meant the greater horseshoe bat was running out of places to breed.

But now a greater awareness of its blight has seen sympathetic conversions in Pembrokeshire which provide space for the mammal to co-exist with humans.

A baby boom in recent years means the number of new borns has reached record levels in the county with 228 births recorded this year.

Its former habitats were disappearing as old buildings were converted into flats and offices Bob Haycock

Warmer winters and a reduction in the use of chemicals and pesticides in farming have also played a part.

Pembrokeshire has three of the 16 British colonies of the species at Stackpole, Slebech and Llwyngwair, accounting for about 7% of UK population.

Bob Haycock, Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) warden at Stackpole National Nature Reserve said in the 1980s it looked as if the greater horseshoe bat would become extinct.

"We were very worried for a while and there was no doubt that it was facing extinction," he said.

"Its former habitats were disappearing as old buildings were converted into flats and offices which meant the bat had no access to the roof and eaves where it had made its home."

Property owners

Research into the needs of the bat helped CCW provide better advice and safeguard against further losses.

The organisation has been working with the National Trust, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the Forestry Commission, Ministry of Defence and a number of private property owners.

An information pack about bat conservation and the need to leave access to roofs and lofts is now sent to all developers before they start conversion work.

Mr Haycock added: "Builders and developers are now more aware of bat habitats and are therefore more considerate in making provisions for their survival on specific sites.

"Achieving this has been a slow process and because an adult bat only gives birth to a single young a year, it means that it has been a slow recovery process. "