THE decision on whether to prosecute three elderly women blamed for feeding pigeons in Trowbridge town centre will not be made until March.

Town councillors voted against the culling of the birds and in favour of prosecuting those who feed them. But the decision on whether to go ahead with legal action now rests with West Wiltshire District Council.

District council spokesman Louise Knox said: "Officers have been asked to prepare a report to take to the cabinet meeting in March. The cabinet will be asked to make a decision on whether to prosecute."

The row over what to do about the pigeons has been rumbling on for nearly four years and town councillors are angry that the district council is not moving faster.

Cllr Jeff Osborn said: "We want a bit more speed on it. By the time it gets to March there will be another lot born. The report will go to cabinet in March, which could then drag on until April or May. We want some speedy action on this now."

The town council has in the past tried to avoid legal action and district council solicitors have already warned the process could be both costly and ineffective.

But Cllr Tom James said that it is up to the district council to take firm action. He said: "It is their responsibility and somehow or another we have to make them realise that it is and get them to act accordingly."

The pigeons are thought to have caused hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage to buildings in the town centre.

The town council first proposed a cull nearly four years ago but abandoned the plans amid a storm of protests from animal rights enthusiasts.

The decision to attack the feeders rather than the birds has this week been welcomed by animal rights groups.

Katherine Green, campaigns manager for Pigeon Campaigns, said: "We are very pleased with this decision. Culling pigeons is a short term, costly and inhuman method of bird control and scientific studies have shown it actually increases a flock."

The council has considered a range of alternatives to culling, from bringing in hawks to setting up a feeding area away from the town centre and lacing grain with contraceptives. It has also employed street cleaners to sweep up food left in the streets.

If the district refuses to go ahead with prosecutions the matter will be referred back to the town council's development committee who will then decide on a course of action.

TIMELINE

June 2000: Trowbridge Town Council reveals plans to bring in a marksman to shoot the pigeons causing problems in the town centre. Plans for a cull are dropped after protests one councillor is threatened by animal rights activists.

July 2000: Those feeding the birds are warned a cull will go-ahead unless they stop. Street sweepers brought in to get rid of food scraps. Town council considers using contraceptive-laced grain or bringing in a hawk.

April 2001: The birds invade Castle Place shopping centre, despite the owners spending over £500 on spikes.

January 2003: A representative from PICAS, a charitable pigeon advisory service, visits the town and suggests a controlled feeding area away from the town centre.

February 2003: Clergyman speaks out against a controlled feeding area in a recreation ground on health grounds.

April 2003: Teresa Wozniak of Innox Road and Danuta Rogova from the Seymour Estate are identified in the Wiltshire Times as two women encouraging the birds by feeding them.

May 2003: Town councillors ask for legal action to be taken against feeders.

December 2003: Animal rights protests outside Trowbridge town council offices. A working party suggests shooting the birds.

January 2004: Town council decide against a cull in favour of prosecuting those feeding the birds.