A CULL is the only way to combat the growing menace of pigeons in Trowbridge town centre, a working party has found.

And now after three year's of debate town councillors have decided the only solution is to shoot the flying vermin.

When a cull was first suggested in 2000 staff and councillors faced death threats from bird-lovers.

But a pigeon working group set up to consider all the options has found there is no suitable alternative.

The group was set up following complaints from shoppers and traders about the mess on buildings and street furniture.

Two women have ignored countless pleas by the council to stop feeding the birds and the rotting food has also attracted rats.

Cllr Tom James said: "Having given this a lot of thought we have no alternative. We cannot get the ladies to stop feeding the pigeons and until there is a cull the pigeons are just not going to be manageable."

Pigeon advisory group PICAS advised the birds should be fed in one place and eggs taken away, but attempts to site a dovecote away from Fore Street failed after objections.

The town council had also hoped West Wiltshire District Council would prosecute the women.

A spokesman for West Wiltshire District Council said: "Prosecution would only be a gesture unless you could get the culprits imprisoned for at least three months and it is not just one person."

Town councillor Glyn Bridges said: "We need to make it clear we are forced to take this decision because the district council will not prosecute the people who are leaving food and encouraging pigeons in to the town."

Steps taken by the council include writing to Asda to ask the store not to sell trolley loads of bread to the women.

A final decision on whether to order a cull will be taken by the full council at a future meeting.