Hundreds of pigeons are causing a stink in a seaside resort.

Splat! - above, one in the ear for councillor John Halls just as Genna Clarke was showing him the mess caused by pigeons outside her shop in Walton High Street.(46384-3)

Shoppers in Walton's newly-refurbished town centre are loathe to go into some shops because of the droppings on the pavement, it has been claimed.

Shopkeepers are having to scrub their entrances with disinfectant before opening up, and drains are blocked up with piles of bird excrement.

The main areas affected are High Street and parts of Newgate Street and Old Pier Street. Residents said Walton's pigeon population grew after they started roosting in the dilapidated old town hall building.

John Halls, one of the town's councillors, said: "The population has exploded. There are more now than there ever were. It's ridiculous."

Mike Page, a spokesman for Tendring Council, said: "It is unsightly and unhygienic but fortunately it's not too big a problem overall - just in a few locations."

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Published Thursday, December 1, 2005

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