AN animal charity has praised Middlesbrough Council for deterring pigeons from defacing the town's listed buildings through the use of ultra-violet paint rather than culling.

Rather than using traditional methods of pest control, such as metal spikes or netting, Middlesbrough Council is daubing buildings with an ultra-violet gel.

The bright yellow gel was painted on ledges and potential nesting sites at the town hall this week by the council's Pest Control Team. While humans cannot see it, to pigeons it has a flame-like appearance and unpleasant taste.

A spokesman for Middlesbrough Council said bird droppings were acidic and could damage stone and brickwork and, as well as being unsightly, they also had the potential to spread fungal bacterial diseases.

He said themethod of using ultra-violet gel has been used successfully in the UK and Europe on sites such as railway stations and bridges, but this was the first time it has been used by the authority.

People using the town centre are being asked not to feed the pigeons and to dispose of food waste, such as pasties and sandwiches in bins provided.

Kate Fowler, head of campaigns at Animal Aid, said: "We are delighted that Middlesborough Council has found a humane, non-lethal way to deter pigeons from listed buildings, and we congratulate them on adopting this sensible, practical and ethical approach.

"Too many short-sighted councils still reach for a gun, but culling pigeons is inhumane, expensive and won't reduce numbers in the longterm. Well done to Middlesborough Council for leading the way."

Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council's executive member for community protection, said: "We have an excellent pest control team which is always at the forefront of applying new and innovative methods and techniques, and feral pigeons are just one area of the work they undertake."