IRATE bus workers tired of being pestered by pigeons went on a killing spree, it emerged last night.

Public transport operator Go North-East has admitted that two members of staff at its bus depot in Chester Road, Stanley, had taken matters into their own hands after the building became plagued with the birds.

Earlier this week, they took air rifles to work and shot the creatures.

An eyewitness, who asked not to be named, said: "Two yard men had been shooting pigeons in the depot. Those that were not killed immediately were stamped on several times until they were dead."

A company spokesman last night confirmed that pigeons had been killed at the depot, but refused to say whether the men involved would face disciplinary action.

Emma Haskell, director of animal rights pressure group Pigeon Campaigns UK, said: "We are disgusted and horrified that Go North East has allowed this animal abuse to happen in the first place."

The group believes the killings contravene the 1911 Animals Act, which aims to prevent pest control causing unnecessary suffering to any bird or animal. It is seeking legal advice with a view to bringing a private prosecution.

North-East campaigners are also planning a series of protests outside the depot.

According to the Pigeon Control Advisory Service culling should be a last resort after all other methods of pigeon population control have been tried.

Martin Harris, commercial director of Go North-East, said: "Following an internal investigation, we can confirm that unauthorised pest control has taken place at our depot in Stanley.

"We are taking this matter very seriously and have started rebriefing employees on the correct procedure."

It is not the first time that pigeons have caused public transport problems in Stanley. In August 2000, Derwentside District Council called off a proposed cull of more than 100 pigeons at Stanley bus station, after 1,400 people signed a petition opposed to the killings.