A small number of pigeons will be looked after in the town

This will be followed by the building of a pigeon cote, where up to 50 pigeons will be encouraged to stay.

The scheme is part of a bid to manage the pigeon population in the Old Town area of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.

A spokeswoman said she hoped the signs would stop people feeding the birds and so encouraging them to breed.

Janet Alty, chairwoman of Regenesis, a group charged with the regeneration of the Old Town area, said: "A key part of reducing the number of pigeons in Leamington town centre is ensuring there is not too much food around.

"Too much food on the ground encourages more pigeons to breed and also brings rats into the neighbourhood."

Building a pigeon cote, in Court Street, will give a small number of pigeons a healthy home and allow a small amount of feeding in that one area.