AN urgent appeal has been launched to raise £30,000 to ensure Somerset remains a thriving stronghold for bats.

Saving Somerset's Bats intends to save several rarer species that could be lost forever unless action is taken now.

The Somerset Wildlife Trust initiative is targeting three key areas in particular - the Blackdown Hills, Taunton and the Mendip Hills.

Michele Bowe, the trust's director of conservation, that while Somerset is home to 16 of the 17 breeding species of UK bats, recent changes in land use have resulted in habitat loss, fragmentation and the destruction of roosts.

She added: "Because of their nocturnal nature and less than cuddly reputation, people don’t always realise that bats do have another role to play apart from being the focus of a Hallowe'en party piece.

"Bats are in fact great indicators of the state of our environment. They are top predators of nocturnal insect life - making them experts at natural pest control - and they’re very sensitive to changes in land use practices.

"Bats rely on a good mix of habitats and healthy numbers of a range of insect species throughout the year.

"If certain bat species aren’t doing well, this may be because of changes in their preferred habitat or insect prey.

"As our natural environment continues to come under pressure, now is the time to ensure we do everything we can to make sure the remaining habitats we have are in the best health for bats.

"I hope that as well as raising essential funds, the campaign also lifts the lid on how much we need these special animals."

The Blackdowns needs regular coppicing work and maintenance on the rides and glides to conserve and enrich woodland habitats for noctule and brown long-eared bats, as well as Bechstein's bats, which are only known to roost in six locations in the UK.

The trust is working with planners and developers to ensure bats can navigate safely across the vastly expanding town of Taunton by connecting green spaces and waterways to protect species such as pipistrelles, Leisler's and Serotine bats.

On the trust's Mendip reserves, action is needed to bolster the diminishing greater horseshoe bat population, including managing grassland habitats, improving hedgerows and repairing Wadbury Bat House.

To make a donation click here or call 01823-652429.