On-the-spot fines will tackle seagulls menace - MP

The politician, who reprtesents the Barrow and Furness constituency has written to Barrow Borough council chief executive Phil Huck and his South Lakeland counterpart Lawrence Conway.

He has suggested Barrow and Ulverston follow the lead of East Devon District Council which has acquired new powers to impose £80 fines on people who feed the birds.

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Mr Woodcock said: "Gulls have been a menace for too long in our town centres and we need to look at new ways of getting a grip of the problem.

"Progress has been made in recent years, but we need to send a strong signal that feeding gulls in urban areas is irresponsible and causes problems for other residents - as well as being bad for the gulls who would lead a healthier life on South Walney nature reserve.

"I hope the council look seriously at this proposal and take decisive action that would win approval from the vast majority of Barrovians and Ulverstonians."

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Mr Woodcock also asked the councils to consider using specialist companies who employ techniques such as hawks to limit the mess caused by the gulls.

The call follows news that seaside residents and holidaymakers who feed seagulls could be fined under new council powers, in an effort to stop the birds attacking people for food.

People who feed the often aggressive animals could be hit with an £80 fine as part of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) issued by East Devon District Council.

The ban comes after much debate about how to tackle what has been described as a "scourge" on Britain's seaside areas.

In 2015, then Prime Minister David Cameron said a "big conversation" was needed about the threat from seagulls, and he recalled ham once being stolen from a sandwich by the birds.