A Pembrokeshire country churchyard is to come alive again by welcoming God’s creatures.

Hedgehogs, bats, frogs and insects are to be encouraged to set up home among the graves in the grounds of the now-closed St Teilo’s Church on the outskirts of Narberth.

The church, in the hamlet of Crinow, is in the process of being declared redundant, but the cemetery will still be maintained as a ‘living churchyard’.

“It’s a very interesting concept which makes a lot of sense,” said the Rector of Narberth, Rev Peter Lewis.

“We’re hoping to have bug hotels and bat boxes and to create an environment where all sorts of flora and fauna can flourish.”

Parishioner Mary Lane, who runs Spike’s Hedgehog Sanctuary at her home in Clynderwen, is looking forward to using the churchyard as a safe haven.

“It’s a wonderful idea to be able to bring the churchyard back to life, and it will be marvellous for hedgehogs,” she said.

“Now that the hedgehog is endangered, every one is so precious.”

Advice on managing the churchyard as a wildlife haven is being given by Bethan Cox, of Pembrokeshire Biodiversity, and church members and friends are donating old clay flower pots and bamboo canes which can be converted into shelters for little creatures.

“”It’s a splendid idea and won’t cost a lot,” said Mary.

“We’ll let certain areas grow wild for nature to maintain her own balance, but we’ll also respect the active graves and make sure there is a mown path to them.

“It’s attracted a really positive response, especially from the Rector and the Bishop, and we’re looking forward to seeing what grows and what it attracts.”

q An open day at Spike’s Hedgehog Sanctuary, Willowhurst, Gower Villa Lane, Clynderwen, is being held on Saturday, August 6th.

•With Crinow Church being made redundant, the building’s contents have to be properly disposed of.

“If people have given things to the church in the past, we have to ascertain their wishes,” explained Rev Peter Lewis.

Anyone who has donated items to the church is asked to contact Rev Lewis at The Rectory, Adams Drive, Narberth, SA67 7AE to say whether they would like the items returned or not.