A BIRDWATCHING club is considering taking legal action against Hartlepool Borough Council after it was evicted from a site it has occupied for the past 45 years.

The Teesmouth Bird Club has used the old First World War observatory on Hartlepool's Headland as a lookout site since 1960.

However, the club was kicked out of the observatory nine months ago by the council after it was decided to turn the historic site into a heritage project.

Although the club says it received assurances from the council that its interests would be protected, it has not been allowed back into the observatory and no alternative site has been found.

Club chairman Ted Parker said: "We really feel like the whole thing has been handled dreadfully.

"Ironically, if it wasn't for the bird club looking after the place for the last 45 years, there probably wouldn't be a historic site to preserve.

"We're still paying rates and rent on the site to the council and yet, despite that, and despite our long association with the site, they won't let us back on."

The site is being developed by the Heugh Gun Battery Trust as a tourist attraction.

Mr Parker said that, over the years, the observatory had become recognised among birdwatchers across the country as one of the best sites in Britain to watch sea birds.

He said: "It really is a wonderful vantage point to see birds from and it has helped add to our knowledge of sea bird movements around Britain.

"But now our members have to stand out in the cold and rain, while most of the time the observatory lies empty."

Mr Parker said nothing had been done to help them despite promises which he said the council gave two years ago that the interests of the club would be protected.

An alternative site on another area of land on the Headland owned by PD Ports also looks like it will be ruled out.

Mr Parker said: "We've taken informal legal advice and been told we have a strong case.

"Although we're only a small charity with a limited budget, our members feel very strongly that we should not take this lying down."

No one from Hartlepool Borough Council was available for comment.