I certainly wouldn't recommend it - bark chips have a tendency to produce fungal growths and spores, and buried in the compost in a pot, it may well produce fungal growths that won't be good for your plants. Used on open ground on the surface, not such a problem.
Use shingle, pebbles or broken crocks if you must.

i hear its best to put a piece of matting at the bottem these days . it wont rot and holds the soil back . should be able to get some from the local garden centre . i agree with bamboo as for the bark and ofcourse it rots in the end even if it isnt carrying anything nasty .

I don't usually use anything at all, Noseypotter, not any more, except for a jeycloth cut in half to keep out invaders. The only time I use crocks is in a pot which has only one large hole - modern plastic pots don't have this arrangement.

thats true enough bamboo x .

I tried J cloths and feet after Bamboo suggested this - works well for me.

hi thanks to all who gave advice.much appreciated.
have now removed bark from pot.
many thanks again.
jnlunan

your welcome .