A WILDLIFE expert believes peregrine falcons are on the increase across Worcestershire, following a pigeon breeder's claims that the birds are killing his prized birds.

Nineteen-year-old Simon Thomas is using loud banging rockets to scare off falcons from his home in Martindale Close, Warndon.

He claims the birds of prey have snatched 50 rollers - a category of aerobatic competition pigeon - already this year.

John Hodson, the assistant reserves warden for Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, believes the antics of these "tumbling" birds are a natural attraction for the falcons, which are a protected species.

"Although not as widespread as kestrels, peregrines have become a lot more common than they used to be and can be seen across the county for most of the year," said Mr Hodson.

"If they do see a bird tumbling down in the air, they believe it is in distress and are more likely to try and attack it."

Pigeon fancier Alex Hill, a member of Worcester South Road Flying Club, said members from across Worcester regularly had birds killed or attacked.

"I have two to three birds taken every year, but that's only because I stand outside in the garden when I spot the sparrow hawks," he said.

"I know one person who used to fly pigeons from Bridgnorth across Martley where they used to be targeted by Peregrine Falcons."

Wildlife expert Mr Hodson believes the bird is likely to be a peregrine or possibly a female sparrow hawk, which would also be big enough to take a pigeon in the air.

He believed the noisy firework repellent was unlikely to be effective, as it would be hard to predict when the bird would strike.