A COLONY of bats could face an early demise as a utility company prepares to dig a huge trench right through the middle of their habitat.

Environmental campaigners are concerned that dozens of pairs of pipistrelle bats could have their breeding patterns badly disturbed when Thames Water starts to lay a giant pipeline in Wanstead Park later this month.

The work is part of the company's controversial £200 million scheme to link a new desalination plant at Beckton, with its customers in North East London - with pipe laying also taking place at sites in Wanstead Flats and Bush Wood.

Environmental campaigner Ashley Gunstock said the noise caused by heavy machinery could disrupt the flying mammals' vital echo-location senses, and therefore their ability to catch food for their young.

Mr Gunstock, of Cranbourne Avenue in Wanstead, said he believed Thames Water should have avoided routing the new pipeline through such a sensitive area, and called on the company to do all it could to avoid affecting the bats.

He added: "Wanstead Park has a number of delicate ecosystems which need to be carefully managed, and none more so than this area nested by bats.

"Bats are sensitive creatures and it is vital they are not badly disturbed.

"Thames Water must do all it can to minimise the noise and environmental damage caused while it lays these pipes."

His views were backed by Jaime Eastham of the Bat Conservation Trust.

He told the Guardian: "Bats have their babies in early summer and are at their most vulnerable during this period.

"Young bats are particularly at risk because they are learning to fly at the moment."

The City of London Corporation, which manages Wanstead Park, has already taken steps to protect the bats - including using a brand new technique to remove a branch nested by one breeding pair, and clamping it to another tree away from the digging site.

A spokeswoman for Thames Water said: "Before the construction began, a full environmental study was completed. Thames Water has been in regular contact with the City of London corporation, liaising closely with their Conservation Department.

"The route of the pipeline was very carefully considered and discussed with all the landowners concerned.

"This new pipeline, from Beckton to Woodford, will safeguard drinking water for 900,000 Londoners living in the north east of London."