The council is monitoring the pigeon problem

Business-owners in the Market Square area of Newton Abbot claim the birds are causing a mess and stealing food.

One elderly couple were recently asked to stop feeding the birds by the council's litter wardens after being filmed doing so by CCTV cameras.

Teignbridge District Council said it was aware of the problem but did not think that culling was an option yet.

Roger Kemp, who runs the Snack Cabin in Market Square, said the birds had become a nuisance to him and other shop-keepers and called for them be culled.

Feeding fines

He said: "The bottom line is that there are firms around which specialise in culling them and humanely disposing of them, and that is what needs to be done."

Council spokesman David Beer said the authority did not believe that such drastic action was needed yet.

He said: "This is something we need to keep an eye on. We're very aware of the problem in Newton Abbot we will monitor it.

"If it appears to be getting out of hand, we will consider our options."