THE owner of a derelict property where a pile of dead pigeons can be seen in a window will be ordered to dispose of the birds.

An investigation was launched after a member of the public reported seeing several dead pigeons on a window ledge in a run-down house on Burtree Lane

The Northern Echo understands that the owner of the terraced property has been traced and written to concerning the troubling situation.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: “An officer visited the derelict residential properties on Burtree Lane yesterday.

“Entry was not gained to the properties, but the officer could see no obvious point of access for pigeons and no evidence of live pigeons remaining trapped inside.

“As the properties are not owned by the Council, we shall contact the owner to request that they inspect the properties, remove and dispose of the dead pigeons, deal with any live birds and block any points of entry.”