EVERY day is a feast day for pigeons in Burnley, say pest control officers.

Town centre streets are almost paved with food, attracting flocks of flying guests from near and far.

It all amounts to a "feral peril" with the birds spreading disease, such as salmonellosis, respiratory infections and skin disease, environmental health officers warn.

The pigeons also plant "land mines" in the centre by fouling pavements - making them slippery for unsuspecting pedestrians, say the council experts.

And the birds compound the misery by causing long term structural damage to buildings by blocking air vents and gutters.

Pest control chiefs say they are receiving more and more complaints over pigeon problems as large flocks continue to fly into town.

And now they have declared war on the airborne scavengers - by producing a leaflet urging the public to take steps to make them unwelcome.

Officers say Burnley council aims to reduce the pigeon population "by natural means" but add ominously "wherever possible."

The leaflet urges people to stop feeding the birds, ensure rubbish is put in bags and to pigeon proof buildings, denying them nest sites.

It adds: "The measures will encourage the large flocks to disperse and naturally reduce and control the numbers of pigeons."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.