PIGEONS in Trowbridge have been given a last-minute reprieve after town councillors voted to gun for the elderly feeders instead.

While animal rights protesters celebrated a victory for the pigeon population, a storm was brewing between town councillors and West Wiltshire District Council over whether pensioners will be prosecuted for feeding the birds.

Deputy leader Graham Payne said the district council's solicitor was unlikely to sanction prosecutions under powers outlined in the 1990 Environmental Protection Act, but promised a review had been launched.

Town councillors said prosecutions were the only answer with many prepared to risk sparking a public relations disaster.

Cllr Jeff Osborn said they must be prepared to take the flak for targeting three elderly Polish women accused of constantly feeding the birds with pies, meat, bread and seed.

"We have to be serious about prosecuting the persistent feeders. We cannot back away when it becomes a big emotional thing about a few old dears," he said.

Cllr Tom James, whose committee's recommendation to cull pigeons sparked a hotly-contested debate, said the district council must be pressurised to take legal action.

District council solicitors believe the legal route could be costly and ineffective and are keen to shy away from causing any distress to the three elderly women.

Security guards and police were drafted in for the make-or-break cull meeting, held at Longfield Community Centre on Tuesday, after fears cull protests could turn nasty.

Cllr James revealed his wife and children had been left in tears by angry anti-cull protestors in the run up to the meeting.

Anti-cull supporters blamed the fast food culture and mountain of litter on the streets for the problem. Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce president Colin Scragg said the pigeon problem is costing town centre companies in excess of £50,000.

One firm is being sued by a customer who slipped on pigeon excrement while another is facing repair bills of £20,000 for damage to its property caused by the birds.

Pigeon protesters, who warned councillors they would be labelled the 'pigeon killers of Wiltshire', said they were delighted with the decision but felt future battles were on the horizon.

Mary Johnson, 32, who was one of the protesters campaigning in Fore Street before Christmas, said: "The pigeons have got a reprieve for now. I don't believe there will be any prosecutions and this will be an issue in the future."

Sam Jones, of Trowbridge, said: "Their resolution is a bit vague so they have kept their options open. I think it's a bit of a fudge they have not really resolved anything."

Councillors also pledged to find designated spots for people to feed the birds.