Bats in the belfry

Work to install toilets and a kitchen at St Sampson's Church has been postponed until autumn because a colony of bats is breeding in the tower.

The colony, which consists of pipistrelle and long-eared bats, is protected by law and cannot be disturbed.

The bats will leave the tower in October to hibernate.

Church bosses were hoping to start the work the final phase of a five-year refurbishment programme at the beginning of the year.

Rev Stephen Oram said: "We have had bats at the church for years, but when we were planning this work we didn't take them into account.

"The building work would disturb them. We are now hoping to have the work finished by Christmas."

Parishioners raised £60,000 to carry out the work to the Grade I listed building.

The plans have been in the pipeline for two years and had to be approved by the Diocese of Bristol.

Paul Darby, of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: "Neither pipistrelle or long-eared bats are particularly rare, but they have legal protection because their numbers have reduced over the last 20 or 30 years.

"It is common to find them in church towers.

"They hibernate in places like railway tunnels, mines and hollow trees, where the temperature will be constant through the winter. Church towers are usually too draughty."

Besides delaying the building work, the bats are also responsible for causing damage estimated at £12,000 to the church organ.

Churchwarden John Hickman said: "Bat droppings have accumulated in the organ pipes.

"It has been collecting there for around 25 years and affects the sound and the ability to tune the instrument.

"The organ needs to be taken to pieces and the pipes cleaned.

"This will take six weeks and will cost around £12,000, which we will have to raise ourselves."