COUNCIL bosses have told business owners not to get in a flap over hordes of messy pigeons and solve the problem themselves.

The area around Newland Street and Guithavon Street in Witham has been plagued by the birds for years.

Braintree Council is taking action over one unnamed landlord in Guithavon Street, whose premises is believed to be infested with pigeons.

But the authority said shop owners are free to take their own action against the birds.

Suggestions include creating a pigeon loft with fake eggs to stop the birds from breeding, using a professional falconer and placing nets and spikes on the buildings.

Witham Town Council contacted Braintree Council about the problem in June.

In a letter, the council’s head of environment Jane Coleman said: “The owners of the buildings who are expressing concerns about this problem are those who have the ability and some responsibility to assist in the solution.”

A Braintree Council spokesman said nets and spikes were not a planning issue, although owners might need consent if the building is listed.

The spokesman said the landlord it is taking action against cannot be named, because of an ongoing investigation