This is the moment hundreds of endangered bats were discovered to be thriving in a cave.

The 'near threatened' species was first discovered in the area in Trang, southern Thailand in 2002.

Back then there were just 100 of the bats. But conservationists who checked on them again on Monday (18/11) were thrilled to count more than 400 hanging from the roof.

Village chief Somkid Naluen said there were totally three or four species of bat in the cave but the majority was the lesser great leaf-nosed and it is a pleasure to see their number increasing.

He said: "Residents told me that they found other species of bat in the area before but the lesser great leaf-nosed is the species that was most frequently found.

"I am so happy that the bat is increasing here. This cave is the last remaining place in Thailand that holds such high numbers of the lesser great leaf-nosed bat.''

The lesser great leaf-nosed bat is found in Thailand, Vietnam and Japan but their numbers have been decreasing in recent tears, leading them to be classed as 'near threatened' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Farmers love them because they prey on the pests that plague their crops.

Killing or hunting the bats carries a jail sentence of up to three years and a maximum fine of 30,000 baht (767 GBP).