They weigh not even half an ounce.
But a rare breed of tiny bat is now at the centre of a huge political row.
The discovery of barbastelle bats in Lincolnshire risks derailing a long-awaited relief road after the leader of the council refused to fork out £4m for a bat tunnel.
Sean Matthews, a retired police officer who in May became the first Reform UK leader of Lincolnshire county council, has described the measures as 'nonsense' and insisted taxpayers 'will not pay'.
The North Hykeham Relief Road project will form the final section of Lincoln's ring road and is designed to reduce congestion in the south of the town.
