NEXT month people from West Devon are being invited to celebrate some very special local wildlife at one of the 25 ‘bat festival’ events being held across the county.

The festival, which is now in its fourth year, is organised by the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project, which is led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust. One of its events, a bat detecting walk, will be taking place in Gunnislake on Saturday, September 7 at 7pm. The walk will search for bats in the Tamar Valley. It is free to attend but places must be booked in advance via [email protected] or 01822 835030.

The Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project, which has been running since 2015, is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Working alongside local farmers, the community and other countryside organisations, the project is securing a future for what is one of Devon’s most endangered animals.

Ruth Testa, project manager for the Greater Horseshoe Bat Project, said: ‘We want to welcome as many local people as possible to our fourth and biggest ever Bat Festival. Devon is a vital refuge for the greater horseshoe bat. About a third of the UK’s population of this special mammal live here, making the county a real stronghold for them.

‘The Bat Festival is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to learn about and celebrate local bats. The help of local communities to protect greater horseshoe bats is more important than it has ever been as the species has declined by more than 90 per cent in the last 100 years.’

Valerie Darwell, Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), added: ‘We are delighted with the exciting festival events that have been organised by the project’s partners. The Bat Festival gives everyone an opportunity to find out more about the secret life of bats here.’

Full details of all 25 of the Bat Festival’s events can be found at www.devonbatproject.org/events