A BAT society has been forced to close because of a rabies scare. The group, run from St Michael's CE High School in Chorley, is the only school-based bat society in Britain.

It was forced to postpone its activities when a bat handler from Scotland died after contracting rabies from an infected bat.

Fears were heightened after a bat, which bit a conservationist in Lancashire, was found to be carrying a strain of the disease known as European Bat Lyssavirus which killed 55-year-old David McCraie.

Now the group must wait for confirmation that no more local bats are infected before it can plan any further events.

The society holds regular trips to Yarrow Valley Country Park, home to five bat species.

It also visits Withnell Fold Nature Reserve to study the furry mammals. It helps to promote awareness of bats and holds regular bat watches and lectures and cares for injured bats.

Gerry Thorpe, an English teacher, has been in charge of the group for nine years.

He said: "Chorley is a superb area for a number of species. At least five reside within the town's boundaries."