Supermarkets in Trowbridge are being asked by council leaders to stop selling large bags of bread to two women.

They are being blamed for encouraging flocks of birds - as well as rats - to the town centre.

And closed-circuit television cameras are also being used in an effort to identify other people throwing bread for the pigeons.

I know they are doing it with the best of intentions but they are not actually succeeding with their aims. Councillor Tom James

Councillor Tom James, from Trowbridge Town Council, says they are not persecuting the two but simply trying to reduce the mess caused by pigeons.

Mr James told BBC News Online the animal-lovers were creating problems for wildlife and residents.

He said: "Apart from increasing the pigeon population, which in itself is creating mess and damage to public buildings and public property, they are also feeding the ducks and some are dying.

"When you feed the ducks the bread swells and that kills them. It's also unfortunately encouraging the rat population.

"I know they are doing it with the best of intentions but they are not actually succeeding with their aims."

Court injunction

Police have already spoken to one woman and asked her to stop feeding the birds.

Trowbridge's supermarkets have yet to respond to the council's request.

Meanwhile, the authority is seeking legal advice to see if it can gain an injunction against the woman if she continues feeding the pigeons.

Plans to cull the town's pigeons were scrapped in 2001 after a public outcry.