FERAL peril in Burnley is causing real problems.

And now the council's pests experts wants to enlist the public's help to cut down the number of pigeons in town.

Feral pigeons have few natural predators and have now developed into large flocks congregating around the town centre.

Environmental health officers say they want to cut down the numbers by asking people not to feed the birds and by making their favourite haunts uncomfortable.

Tricks up their sleeves include stringing fine wire, like a trapeze, along windowsills and ledges, using fine netting like they already have done under the Yorkshire Street culvert, and putting down gel which pigeons dislike standing, and hate sitting, on.

The idea is to encourage the pigeon flocks to disperse, leaving the remainder to stay as a popular town centre sight without the extensive mess and pollution which have caused problems and can cause disease.

A special leaflet about pigeons is available from council offices.

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