THESE two bats had never ventured more than a mile away from their roost in the rafters of a Borehamwood house.

But for the last two weeks, they have been homeless, lodging temporarily with a local bat worker who says they could die unless their original home is located.

The two brown, long-earred bats, which are shy by nature, were handed in to Fernside Veterinary Centre in Shenley Road, Borehamwood by a woman who said they were found in her roof by builders.

Staff did not ask her name or address, and contacted licenced batworker Patty Briggs, from Bushey, who is now caring for the healthy bats until they can be released.

But the creatures, one adult female, the other an adult male, must be released in the same spot they were found, otherwise they would have difficulty finding food and a roost.

Mrs Briggs, a member of Hertfordshire and Middlesex Bat Group, said: "This particular type of bat doesn't fly very far from their roost no more than one-and-a-half kilometres.

"They only know a very, very small area of Borehamwood, its roost sites and feeding sites and the other bats living in that colony. They will all recognise each other. That's why it's so important we find out where they came from.

"If the bats are released in an unknown area, they will probably not survive."

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to harm or take bats, or damage their roosts because they are a protected species. The maximum fine is £5,000.

If building work needs to be done that will affect a roost then the owner should contact English Nature for advice.

Mrs Briggs appealed to readers: "Can anyone help? Do you know who this lady or the builders might be? Is your neighbour having work done on the roof?"