PIGEONS in Marlborough could be given smart new homes to woo them away from all listed buildings where they are causing damage costing tens of thousands of pounds.

Town councillors are to explore the idea of providing dovecotes for the birds to roost in and then destroying their eggs.

Members of Marlborough Town Council got into a flap on Tuesday after architect Malcolm Ward showed them photographs of damage caused to the town hall by decades of pigeon droppings.

Mr Ward said the droppings had blocked the gutters and downpipes on the building, causing water to seep into the roof timbers.

He said much of the work involved in the current quarter million pound refurbishment of the town hall was because of the pigeon problem.

Carpenters employed by contractor Carty have had to cut away and replace some of the rotten wooden joists supporting the roof.

Mr Ward said: "Contrary to what some people believe, we have had to spend a lot of time and money on repairs to the town hall, partly due to pigeon debris and decay.

"The gutters and rainwater heads were profoundly clogged with pigeon mess. It has been spilling into the building and rotted the fascias and soffits."

Although new anti-pigeon defences including spikes have been installed, the builders have noticed the build-up of pigeon muck in the gutters since they were replaced in the last few weeks.

Town clerk Graham Gittins said Chester City Council had halved the city's pigeon flock by introducing dovecotes in strategic areas and attracting birds to roost in them by providing food. All new eggs were destroyed.

The strategy included stopping the public feeding the pigeons so that they could be attracted to the dovecotes.

The council agreed to investigate the cost of providing a cote in the Priory Gardens and, if needed, a second one at the Recreation Ground.