Bat blight stops pray at the Lord’s house

But the congregation at the ancient place of worship have now been left hoping for divine intervention after the 11th century building was invaded by a colony of bats.

Services have had to be suspended at the church in Ellerburn, near Pickering, for what is thought to be the first time in more than 350 years.

Talks are under way with officials from Natural England, which can grant a licence to move the Natterer’s bats that are protected under European law.

But there are fears that any relocation of the bats could fragment the 180-strong colony, the largest in Yorkshire.

Churchwarden Liz Cowley said: “The smell is atrocious. We have tried to keep the church clean but we have lost the battle.

“Some of our helpers have become seriously ill by coming into contact with the bat waste.”

The altar, walls and floors of the church, which dates back to 1050, are covered with bat droppings, and nearly all the woodwork has been damaged by urine. Damage has also been caused to artefacts, stone flooring slabs, pews, choir stalls, the pulpit and the font.

The congregation is seeking legal advice from Jonathan Mortimer, a solicitor at Raworths Solicitors in Harrogate, who is calling for a judicial review of the case.

Mr Mortimer’s own home in Leathley, neat Otley, was blighted by bats earlier this year and he was able to obtain a licence to rid them from the property.

He said: “The church is presently home to hundreds of bats who effectively use the inside as a toilet and it’s a scandal.

“The endangered species here is not the bats but the congregation.”

Natural England admitted that it was faced with a “complex and difficult case”, but a spokeswoman said: “We want to work with all involved to find a practical, workable solution.”