PEOPLE working in Cumbria’s woodlands have spent a day learning how to understand bats and their tree roosts.

A one-day course in Staveley gave woodland managers, private woodland owners, foresters and others working with trees a new understanding of the creatures.

“Destroying, damaging, or disturbing a bat roost is a criminal offence,” said a spokesman for Cumbria Woodlands, which organised the day.

“Being able to correctly identify trees which may contain bat roosts is a vital part of the job for anyone involved in tree management.”

The six-hour event was held at Chapel House Woods.

The spokesman added: “Participants should be able to work more confidently around trees that have the potential to contain bat roosts and know what steps should be taken if it is suspected bats are there.”