HARWICH will take part in the international celebration of bats in nature this week with children being able to go to Ha’penny Pier for bat-related activities.

International Bat Week, from Thursday October 24 to Thursday October 31, is an annual celebration week to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation.

To coincide with half-term, the Ha’penny Pier information and visitor centre at The Quay will be open from 10 am until about 4pm from Saturday to Friday this week with free bat-related activities on offer.

Lesley Elliot, volunteer manager, said: “We wanted to do something non-scary, so we decided to do something about bats.

“Children can make bat hats, learn about bats, it is really about learning about bats, including their bat cycles.

Species - Known as the 'water bat' Daubenton's bats fish for insects Species - Known as the 'water bat' Daubenton's bats fish for insects (Image: The Parks Trust) Lesley added: “We have a rather large bat arriving on the weekend – a dressed-up bat will come down to meet the children.

“He will be the biggest bat in Essex – most of the children known him as a pirate- and as always there are lots of activities such playing as pirates, quizzes, looking for shark teeth, but this adds another dimension.”

Lesley also said how in the area there are many bats including the Pipistrelle and Daubenton species in nearby Shotley as well as Bobbit’s Hole.