NATURE lovers have been invited to watch wide-awake bats at their most active and then drop-in on them as they enjoy a bit of well-earned sleep.

Sponsored by the Friends of Chopwell Wood, the Forestry Commission is holding a free evening walk with expert Joe Shipley next Friday to track down some of the five bat species found along the River Derwent at Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

Then, during the morning of Sunday, August 24, there is an opportunity to join wildlife ranger Mike Sanderson as he checks some of Kielder Forest's 200 Forestry Commission bat boxes, put in place to make up for a shortfall of local roosting sites.

Monitoring the population is vital to gauge the project's success - which must be done during the day when bats rest-up after the night's exertions.

Forestry Commission chief recreation ranger Pippa Kirkham said: "Bats are amazing creatures and these walks are the perfect opportunity to find out more.

"They've had a bleak time over the decades, but we are doing our best to give the them a helping hand in the North-East."

The River Derwent walk meets at Lintzford lay-by, on the A694 a mile west of Rowland's Gill, at 8pm. Bring a torch and warm clothing. For information call (01207) 542231.

For further information on the bat box trek around Kielder Forest, call (01434) 250209.