FIFE COUNCIL'S Oakley Local Office was closed for a short period of time due to an unexpected visit from bats.

The Station Road office re-opened on Friday at 10am after closing its doors on the Thursday.

Andrew Stokes, customer services team leader said, “Yesterday (Thursday), bats were found in Oakley Local Office. For the safety of the bats, our employees and members of the public, we took the call to close the local office.

“Today (Friday), we received advice that there’s few health and safety concerns with this species of bat. Oakley Local Office re-opened today. We’re sorry for the disruption.” The bats had been in the building for years, unbeknown to staff. It is thought that during summer months they had made their way down to the offices from the attic.