Slebech Park is home to six different bat species

A colony of bats are getting their own taste of luxury with a �120,000 custom-built home.

Forty pairs of rare greater horseshoe bats will get the latest in mod cons with a specially-constructed chimney and hibernating chamber in a cellar at Slebech Park, near Haverfordwest.

The country house, on the shores of the Eastern Cleddau, is undergoing a �5m upgrade to turn it into a five-star conference centre.

But as the park buildings are a site of special scientific interest, the bats have had to have their own rooms in a nearby building.

Park owner Geoffrey Philipps said: "We've spent a lot of money to give five-star accommodation to the humans - and five-star accommodation to the bats as well."

At the end of the day one has to look after the environment, this is our bit to make things better Geoffrey Philipps

The redevelopment of Slebech, which is due to be completed by mid-2005, has had to take care of the greater horseshoe bats which breed in only 13 places in Britain.

The area is also home to lesser horseshoes, Natterer's bats, brown long-eared bats and two kinds of pipistrelle.

Mr Philipps said: "We've built something called a hibernaculum, which is where they hibernate in winter.

"There is this idea that they fly into people's hair and things - but they will be in a building away from the main centre."

Mr Philipps has been working with the Countryside Council for Wales to safeguard the colony.

"We have known they are there for many years," he said.

Enthusiasts

"The CCW has been monitoring them for many years because it is one of the biggest colonies in Wales.

"We are doing it so the environment, business and tourism can live side by side.

"At the end of the day one has to look after the environment, this is our bit to make things better.

"People appreciate it and they see it as positive," he added.

Mr Philipps said he hoped bat enthusiasts will come along and see their work when the house opens.

He said computers monitoring the numbers of bats trying to find food at night are fascinating.

"I'm a convert to bats," he said.