The South Hill Bat Project is inviting people to ‘sponsor a bat’ to help care for Natterers bats which have taken up residence in the parish church of St Sampson during the coronavirus pandemic.

The church, which is currently being repaired, has been home to Pipistrelle and Long Eared Bats before, but the Natterers bats are a more recent arrival.

They have established a ‘maternity roost’ where they are breeding babies under the eaves.

They were discovered by ecologist Dr Polly Coldrick, who was surveying the church before repairs got underway on the Grade I listed structure. The Natterers are of interest because they are declining in number in Cornwall, although they can be found alla over the British isles.

A spokesperson for the project said: ‘To help care for the new tenants of St Sampson’s Church, you can sponsor a St Sampson’s bat, or part of a bat.

‘The extra cost to keep the bats safe on top of vital roof repairs is £6,000. The survey identified 30 bats flying in and out to their roosts so each bat needs £200 rent — although babies live free! You can sponsor a whole bat or a contribution towards it (whole bat £200, wing £50, leg £20 echolocation hearing £10).

So far a Just Giving appeal has raised £3,603 towards its £6,000 target to rescue the bats. Find out more at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/southhillbats