RESIDENTS of former mining village plagued by peacocks and peahens have demanded action be taken to get rid of them.

A petition, Peacocks Making Villagers’ Life a Misery, has been launched on change.org, following complaints of the birds roaming loose in the streets and gardens, causing “mayhem, noise, fouling and damage to property” including scratched cars in Ushaw Moor, near Durham.

Residents claim the birds come from nearby riding stables – but the stables owners say the birds flew in about 15 years ago and do not belong to them.

Graham Bridge of Ash Avenue, who organised the petition which has gathered more than 100 signatures, said: “The key problem is the noise.

“They have a really loud screech. During the day there’s not an hour goes by when you don’t hear them.

“We have hit mating season and at this time it gets worse.

“A lot of peacocks go to sleep on the roofs of the houses at night and call out continuously, disturbing many peoples sleep.”

Mr Bridge, who has complained to Durham County Council, added: “There is also damage to property. They have very sharp claws. I had to replace my shed roof twice, because of them.

“And the fouling is awful. A green gooey substance very difficult to get rid of.

“These birds should be in a safe environment where they can be admired and properly looked after and not seen as pests.”

Fiona Sell said the peacocks had repeatedly attacked their reflections in her car, causing damage.

However, resident Christine Burnham said: “They are noisy at times, but they don’t bother me.

“The problem is people on the estate feeding them and attracting them.”

Calvin Moore of Broomhall Farm said: “The peacocks do not belong to us. They have been around for the last 15 to 20 years. They are all over the village.

“We have just accepted they have been around. I don’t know who they belong to and I haven’t looked into it.

“People presume they are ours because we have a little bit of land.”

Joanne Waller, head of environment, health and consumer protection at Durham County Council, said: “We have received complaints about noise from peacocks in Ushaw Moor and we are currently investigating to determine whether they create a statutory noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.”