FRISKY bats have put a halt to much-needed repairs to the roof of St Andrew's Church in Soham.
Work on the 15th century roof has been postponed until August to ensure that the church's colony of bats are not disturbed during their mating season.
"They are having a romantic summer," said vicar Tim Alban Jones.
"We have known for a long ti
me that we have bats. One of the conditions is that we have to look after them while they are there. It's rather frustrating."
It was originally hoped that the repairs would get under way in April.
But plans were scuppered when wildlife organisation English Nature contacted the vicar at the end of March, explaining that any work which would disturb the creatures could not be carried out.
"We don't know how many bats there are but there are obviously baby ones as well," said Mr Alban Jones. "In the evening you can see them swooping around.
"We have got some happy brides in Soham as this means there will be no scaffolding in the church until August."
The huge project involves removing the 140-year-old lead from the roof and melting it down.
A temporary roof will be fitted to prevent damage to the interior of the church while the repairs, which are expected to take six months to complete, take place.
Problems with the roof first came to light when the church was treated for death watch beetle in 2005.
Last summer, a team of experts carried out a survey assessing the full extent of the problems.
English Heritage has pledged to donate £80,000 towards the repairs, with £20,000 already secured.
The church will find out whether it will receive the remaining money in the next couple of weeks.
St Andrew's Church fete in Soham is being held on Saturday, June 14, not May 31, as stated in last week's Journal.
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