COUNCILLORS in Trowbridge are questioning West Wiltshire District Council over what is being done to control pigeons in the town.

At a meeting of the town development committee yesterday councillors were given a summary of costs towards tackling the problem.

The council has already agreed to contribute up to £5,000 towards measures to control the population of pigeons and the total spent to date is £3,900.57.

Last month the district council announced it had introduced illustrated Don't Feed the Birds signs in Trowbridge to target known pigeon feeders.

Cllr Jeff Osborn said: "I'd like to know how effective it is. This problem has been going on and on. I just wonder if this is having an effect or if it is just tokenism.

"We need to have a proper update on this problem."

He said it was widely known that the problem had stemmed from people who continue to feed the birds despite being asked repeatedly to stop.

The district council said it introduced the signs because it had to do everything it could to ensure people knew they were not supposed to feed the pigeons before it could take any legal action against them.

Committee chairman Cllr John Knight said: "All I know is they have had signs put up. It doesn't seem value for money so far." The committee agreed to quiz the district council over its policy for controlling the pigeon population.