ROUNDWAY Parish Council is to spend up to £5,000 on a hawk and its handler to frighten away seagulls that have become a menace.

Last summer people living in White Horse Way and surrounding roads complained of constant squawking from the birds who also caused a mess in gardens.

A petition started by Wiltshire councillor Laura Mayes was signed by more than 300 people and was presented to Devizes Area Board.

Coun Mayes addressed Roundway Parish Council on Monday and they also had a report telling them how birds of prey can help keep seagulls away.

Chairman Chris Callow said: “We were all clear that we need to do something about the seagulls. They have already started to return and this is earlier than last year.”

Coun Callow said: “We need to get on with this now before the seagulls become too comfortable.”

He said another possibility was for seagull eggs to be replaced with dummies.

He said: “We are not allowed to kill birds but it is possible for the eggs to be replaced with ones that won’t hatch. This would mean that distress is not caused to the mother birds.”

The area board could pay for the eggs but the parish council would have to pay for the labour and cherrypickers to reach the nests.

Parish councillors voted to fund 50 per cent of the cost of the bird of prey which would fly for a day two or three times a week.

It will also approach Devizes Town Council to ask for a contribution.