To some they are vermin, to others they are welcome visitors who bring cheer to young and old.

But to Yvonne Crossley, pigeons are nuisances threatening a precinct's flowers.

The Shipley town centre manager is calling on shoppers to think twice before tipping leftover crumbs in a bid to keep the feathered guests at bay.

She said: "When I came to Shipley 18 months ago the large number of pigeons around the town centre was obvious.

"Last year, the large planter in the centre, which some people call the Princess Diana memorial, twice had its flowers eaten by the pigeons. It was a disgraceful waste. This year it's not been replanted."

As a result, over £,4,000 of funding has been secured for a public consultation aimed at replacing the vacant planter with a pigeon-proof work of art.

"Wherever there are people dropping waste food there will be pigeons. It's by no means just a Shipley problem," said Mrs Crossley, who has been distributing leaflets advising people about feeding the birds.

"People go to the food shops, sit on the benches and throw their scraps to the birds. They are well meaning and don't think they are causing a problem - but there are public health risks.

"It's a real worry that rats and mice could be attracted by waste. People phone me up about the problem."

Neil Atkinson, head of Bradford Council's environmental enforcement team, said the authority had the power to fine people for dropping bread for birds, but would only do so under extreme circumstances.

He said: "We are allowed to fine people for feeding birds under anti-litter legislation.

"However, we would rather approach with a warning first before handing out a fine."

Mrs Crossley has teamed up with Kirkgate Studios and Workshops in Shipley which will use the £4,400 grant from Awards for All to ask people how the artwork should look.

The studios' Jackie Luckham said: "It is up to the people of Shipley. We will work with the groups to create designs which will go on display for people to consider, possible in the library. We are hoping to get started in the autumn."

In the meantime, Mrs Crossley is looking into getting signs asking people not to feed the birds.

Earlier this week she worked with the Council's cleansing department and young volunteers from Shipley Salvation Army to blitz waste food and litter in Market Square.

"We need to urge members of the public not to feed pigeons," she said.

"We know people are well-meaning, but this can attract rats and other vermin which can spread disease and also ruin our town centre environment.

"We all have to play our part in making Shipley a great place to live, work and play."

e-mail: jonathan.walton@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

RUFFLED FEATHERS

Dinah Berard, 36, of Cottingley: "I can't stand the pigeons - they're vermin. Feeding them encourages them. You can't sit down to enjoy your food without them flying around you."

Steve Brooke, 49, of Bradford: "Pigeons have to eat. I chuck them the end of my sausage roll, but they soon clear off when they've eaten up."

Rachel Bower, 26, of Shipley: "I think it's a harmless thing for kids to do. I wouldn't feed them, but I don't have a problem with people doing it. "

Joanne Hartley, 30, of Heaton: "They're a nuisance. What's the point of having these new benches when there are pigeons all over them?"