PROBLEMATIC pigeons have been the subject of a few complaints recently, causing Tavistock Town Council to take action against the bothersome birds.

The town council and West Devon Borough Council have received a number of complaints about pigeons roosting around the town hall area, in particular sitting on the ledges directly above the seating area in Bedford Square — their droppings being the main reason for concern.

As a result, the town council's works department is putting together a plan of action to prevent the pigeons from nesting in this area.

The feral pigeons have been found to be roosting and nesting on the string course on the front and left elevations of the town hall and the string course of the museum.

It is thought the pigeons and their droppings have been causing a considerable mess which is not only unsightly but also a potential health and safety hazard.

Ken Sedgmen, deputy works superintendent, said: 'There have been complaints from people sitting on the seats in front of the town hall about the pigeons, to the town council and to West Devon Borough Council — it's our town hall so we have gone to get specialist advice about how to deal with the problem.'

The works department are now working with the West Devon Borough Conservation officer to come up with a suitable solution as to how to fix the wires to the building.

As well as putting up preventative wires, the works department are looking to carry out a biocide spray treatment of the surface areas covered by bird droppings, carry out a residual insecticide treatment of the affected areas to eradicate any associated insect pests, fit steel pigeon spikes to the seven lights and possibly erect signs to discourage the public from feeding them.