THE continuing battle against destructive seagulls has taken a new twist – with the introduction of peck-proof bin bags.

The pesky birds frequently attack bags left out for collection in Whitby and Scarborough, ripping them open in their search for food and leaving rubbish strewn across the narrow streets.

The Northern Echo:

But the local council hopes that by introducing the seagull proof sacks for people to place rubbish in for collection, they can drastically reduce and ultimately eliminate such attacks.

Used by a growing number of coastal authorities and proven to be highly effective against the nuisance birds, the seagull proof sacks are tough, woven polypropylene bags with a high resistance to pecking and tearing, and a secure Velcro fastening lid.

And such a sack will now be issued free to each home and business within the seagull hot spot areas together with full instructions on how to use it.

Local councillor Godfrey Allanson said: “Legal methods to reduce the problems associated with gulls are limited and therefore we are taking a step by step approach, using a number of initiatives, which when combined together, should make a noticeable difference in the longer term.

“The seagull proof sacks should prevent gulls from scavenging at rubbish bags, which currently causes much inconvenience to our local residents and businesses and results in additional clean up bills for our environmental services team.”