Residents say the birds make a horrible mess

The residents in Leicester say piles of food left at the Cossington Street Recreation Ground are a health hazard and encourage vermin.

Some local Hindus say feeding the birds is part of their religious belief.

Leicester City Council has agreed to put up signs asking people not to feed the birds.

Priestly approval

Sujata Barrett, who has campaigned against feeding the birds, said the traditional feeding can be done in private yards.

She said the victory was the result of local people taking action: "It is fantastic news and a result of people power," she said.

Earlier this year, an environmental activist in Loughborough, Leicestershire said he was shocked that a local church was backing a pigeon cull there.

The Charnwood Borough Council shot about 90 of the birds, which were considered a nuisance, in a move backed by a priest.

A spokesman for St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Loughborough said too many pigeons were roosting on the church and causing a mess.