THREE church cleaning ladies who say they can no longer cope with the mess left by bats in their church have decided to give up their posts, leading some parishioners to fear the church may soon have to be closed.

The church is St Hilda's, near Thornton-le-Dale, built in 950AD. Churchgoers have reached an impasse with English Nature over Natterer's bats in the church. The bats cause damage from urine and droppings and some parishioners believe they are a health risk.

Former cleaner Peggy Salterthwaite, 82, says she has shed tears for her lovely Saxon church in the Vale of Ellerburn. "It seems a few bats are above the law and can desecrate a church and we humans have no rights to stop it or even to worship in comfort and safety," she said.

Mrs Grimble, 79, said: "It is no longer possible to clean up the mess left by the bats. It is a health hazard and it's driving away worshippers."

So far, no one has offered to take over the cleaning chores from Peggy and her sister, Rachel Grimble, and Jacqui Campbell. Church warden and organist Wilf Garbutt, 70, did his best one day, but says: "I won't be doing it on a regular basis. We have a real problem."

The bats fly in a small gap in the front door, but conservation rules prevent the church from blocking it up. English Nature fears that blocking the gap would prevent the protected bats from using the church to breed and rear their young; it could lead to their demise.

The conservation group says it can arrange help with the cleaning, but churchgoers have decided against this, saying: "It would involve public money and will not solve the real problem - the damage and health hazard caused by the bats."

John Grimble, 79, appointed by the congregation to be "church batman", says: "For some reason, we are struggling to get support from church leaders. St Hilda's was built for humans, for worship, not to become a breeding ground and toilet for a few bats who are above British and European laws. We have had endless meetings with bat experts, but they have failed to offer any practical or sensible solution."

He said English Nature has suggested covers be made for pews, altar, pulpit, font and choir stalls, to protect them from bat urine and droppings. Parishioners have firmly rejected this proposal because they would have to be removed and cleaned weekly.

Some parishioners say that the bats and the cleaning problem may force closure of St Hida's as a place of worship. But bat expert John Drewett, brought in by English Nature, said: "We are trying to find a compromise. We don't want the church to close."

A recent meeting between English Nature and church members was a "total waste of time", said Mr Grimble. "They seem to be more interested in the welfare of bats than human beings - we don't seem to get a look-in."

Other species of bats are to be found in St Hilda's, but they enter via the roof and stay there, causing no problem. The Natterer's bats enter through the door gap to nest in the ceiling and fly around in the church. Bat experts described St Hilda's as a vital breeding refuge for the species, which is listed as endangered.

"We could solve the problem by sealing up the gaps in the door, but have been warned this would be against the law created by an act of parliament in 1981 and endorsed by the EU. It would mean heavy fines and even imprisonment if we disturb the bats or stop them entering," said Mr Grimble.

Church member Ashley Burgess believes the only solution is a change in the law and has enlisted the help of Ryedale MP John Greenway. "I don't think a situation like this would be tolerated in places of worship of other religions - a mosque or a synagogue," he said. "The law needs changing to protect the worshippers."

Updated: 14:39 Wednesday, June 09, 2004