A YORK bat enthusiast has issued a plea to anyone felling trees in the New Year to watch out for the winged mammals.

Roma Oxford, of Huntington Road, made the call after recovering seven noctule bats - Britain's largest species - from a felled tree near the A64.

Roma, a rehabilitator for the North Yorkshire Bat Group, says that this time of year is when hibernating bats face the greatest danger, as people set about trimming or felling old trees.

She was called in after the group was discovered huddling asleep, deep inside a rotten beech tree.

The group has now joined ten other bats which are happily roosting in Roma's garage.

"We're very conscious that this is about the time when people are tempted to tackle old trees, and we would like people to be watchful and alert for hibernating bats," said Roma.

"Any British species of bat can get into the tiniest gap in an old tree to hibernate, as in this case, where seven of them were found deep inside.

"There are some very heavy protection orders relating to bats, and anyone who damages a bat shelter can face a serious fine of up to £5,000, and possibly a jail sentence, so it is important to take care, and be aware that any tree is potentially a shelter."

The noctule bat's wingspan can reach up to 19 inches, although, like all British varieties, it is totally harmless.

Roma did not want to disclose the location where the bats were found, but said: "Finding them in this place was fascinating, as we were quite unaware of local places where noctule bats were hibernating, and this gave us an answer."

If you are worried that bats may have found their way into a tree scheduled for the chop, phone English Nature on 01904 435500. For more details on local bats, ring Bat Group chairman John Drewett on 01969 640544.

Updated: 10:30 Wednesday, January 02, 2002