Neighbours are celebrating victory in their battle to get a pigeon fancier to remove his 'nuisance' loft from a garden.

A Government inspector has ordered David Kernan, 52, to demolish the coop at his home in Oakworth Road, Keighley, by October.

He has given him four months to get the eyesore wooden building removed, saying it is "out of place in the street scene."

Neighbours claimed the birds created a health hazard, settled on the roofs of houses and fouled washing lines.

But a defiant Mr Kernan said today: "The pigeons are stopping." He said: "They will stay here. I'm keeping my options open. I could appeal to the High Court."

And he said there was no reason why he could not keep the birds in his garage, which did not need planning permission.

Bradford Council planners last year refused him planning permission for the loft - which had already been erected - and ordered its removal within three months. Mr Kernan appealed against the decision and the case was heard by a Government inspector.

Joan Foster, who lives opposite in Arncliffe Road, said: "We are happy with the outcome that he has to remove the loft. The fact he has been given an extra month to comply is acceptable."

A Bradford planning spokesman said the four-month deadline would start from the date of the inspector's decision on June 18.

"We wanted to wait for a period of time to give Mr Kernan opportunity to relocate his birds. The inspector found in our favour and thought four months was appropriate."

He said Mr Kernan had wanted 12 months, the Council had asked for three and the inspector decided on four.

In his decision report, the inspector said "I have to take into account the continuing harm to the street scene and the amenities of neighbours arising from the use of the loft."