DIE-HARD pigeon campaigners claim they have been deluged with rude and insulting e-mails from people supporting a cull in Trowbridge.

Katherine Green, of Pigeon Campaign UK, said she had received many sarcastic e-mails from pro-cull supporters and town councillors in response to the continued protests.

The war of words will turn into a head-to-head contest on Tuesday, when town councillors are due to debate whether to kill a percentage of the town's pigeon flock.

Because of the number of people expected to attend the meeting has been moved from the usual Fore Street offices to Longfield Community Centre, because it has facilities for coach parking.

Ms Green, who has been drumming up support against the cull, said town councillor Bob Brice sent her a sarcastic response.

"I am getting some very nasty and vicious e-mails. We are taking part in peaceful protests and we are being labelled rude and disruptive," she said.

"Bob Brice has had all the information from the Pigeon Control Advisory Service and his response to my e-mail was plain sarcastic. What he is saying to me is quite incorrect.

"Animal Aid are getting involved now and that is a big group. We have been told this cull is to teach the feeders a lesson. That is totally immoral."

Protesters have already staged a protest in Fore Street, handing out leaflets, petitions and information to shoppers.

Placards and banners are being drawn up to barrack councillors as they walk into the meeting.

Cllr Tom James could be the subject of verbal attacks, after the town development committee he heads voted to cull the birds and referred the final decision to the full council.

Cllr Brice admitted sending a sarcastic response to anti-cull supporters.

He said: "They have bombarded us with e-mails and the language they have been using is awful.

"The labels they have pinned to us have been ridiculous.

"I have made some sarcastic remarks.

"If you ask them what the difference is between killing a rat and a pigeon they go mad. There is a probability we won't do a cull anyway.

"I think the issue has been mismanaged from the start. We should have made a decision that night and not sent it on to full council."

The meeting will begin at 7pm at Longfield Community Centre.