TWENTY new bat boxes are to be put up in secret locations in and around Chippenham in an effort to combat the decline of the flying mammals.

Wiltshire is a bat hotspot, with 14 of the UK's bat species living in the county.

But bats have experienced a huge decline in numbers over recent years, due partly to loss of roost sites and changes in farming methods.

Now the Wiltshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group has joined forces with the Wiltshire Bat Group and Chippenham company Wavin Plastics to provide much needed roosts for the summer.

"The Pipistrelle, our most common bat, has declined by 70 per cent in the last 20 years, and the Mouse Eared Bat has disappeared altogether," said Simon Smart, of the advisory group.

"Wiltshire has been recognised as being a stronghold for bats, thanks to its mosaic of habitats, including woodland and farmland, and as such the species protection is highlighted in the Wiltshire Biodiversity Plan."

Wavin heard about the initiative and decided to get involved, by funding 20 new boxes in the Chippenham area, which is home to the Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats, both of which are endangered, as well as the Natterers Bat.

The exact location of the bat boxes will be a guarded secret to ensure their safety, but they will be installed over the coming weeks in woodland areas, on farms with unimproved pasture, and at waterside areas, all of which are the bats' preferred habitat.

"It is likely that once in residence the bats will return to the same box every summer for up to 25 years, choosing to spent winter in caves and cellars," said Mr Smart.

"The boxes will be monitored by the Wiltshire Bat Group, which is essential for effective conservation."

Peter Curtis, human resources director at Wavin, said: "This is an exciting project that caught our imagination and fits in with our desire to support conservation and environmental projects in Chippenham.

"I suspect that not many people in town realise that they live in an area that is so significant for these often misunderstood creatures and we hope that by becoming involved in the project we can contribute to the secured future of these species in Wiltshire."

The bat boxes are manufactured from woodcrete a mixture of wood and concrete, which is more durable than traditional wood and will provide a secure home for a colony for many years.

The material also provides better insulation to ensure a regular temperature, an important requirement for bat roosts. Two different types of box are being installed tubular and flat designs, to suit the different species' requirements, mimicking crevices and cavities.