TWO colonies of bats are continuing to live in their home in a Yorkshire dale - despite a £7m restoration project going on around them.

The bats live in the roof of a former reservoir keeper's house in the Washburn valley, near Harrogate.

Yorkshire Water has just completed a multi-million scheme which saw the height of three valley dams raised and two Victorian bridges demolished.

Originally, it was intended to pull down Lindley Wood Cottage, the former reservoir keeper's home.

But the idea was ditched when Yorkshire Water officials found it was home to the colony of bats, which are a protected species.

Project manager Jim Claydon, said: "Because of the protection given to bats we had to conduct a survey by licence issued by Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). And we also re-arranged work so it did not take place too near them during winter when they were breeding.

"We even put special bat tiles in - with slightly raised sections for easier access - to encourage them to continue making the old cottage their home," he said.

With Defra's agreement, a scheme was devised to build the cottage into a raised embankment.

Work on the dams at Fewston, Lindley Wood and Swinsty, all in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, were earmarked for completion in the new year. But work was finished a month early, ensuring all three reservoirs are available for walkers over the Christmas holiday.

The work was carried out to meet current flood standards.