Chester City Council says it culled pigeons at St Martin's House and at the Masonic Hall, before the buildings were demolished.

But the authority insists the move was "one exception".

Culling goes against the advice offered by The Pigeon Control Advisory
Service (PiCAS).

PiCAS no longer works with the council to offer advice about the management of pigeons, which are considered pests.

But PiCAS has slammed the council for its lethal stance on bird management.

Emma Haskell, of PiCAS, said: "Lethal methods like this go against everything the city council had agreed with us.

"The culling will mean a void would have been put in the flock, which would in turn mean a surge in numbers because of an increase in food available.

"This could actually worsen the problem and mean a 15-30 per cent increase in the pigeon population."

City council spokesman Mike McGivern said: "This matter has been exaggerated by PiCAS.

"Chester City Council has a general no-culling policy with regards to pigeons.

"However, we made one exception in early 2007 in order to deal with the particular problem of clearing the former Masonic Hall and St Martins House prior to demolition.

"Had we not done this, the birds would have been dispersed around the city when these buildings were demolished.

"Since then there has been no further culling and none is planned."

He added that the council has continued to remove eggs from its special pigeon coop at the Kaleyards, as recommended by PiCAS.

But Miss Haskell said the council could have used a more humane method of control.

She said: "They have everything they need to have a fantastic pigeon-control strategy.

"Public education and more stringent designated feeding would help."

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