A NATIONAL bird expert is winging his way to Bromsgrove to reassess the town's pigeon population - following a story in your No.1. newspaper.

Guy Merchant, founder of the Pigeon Control Advisory Service (PICAS), will visit the area next Tuesday to tell Bromsgrove District Council whether it needs to reduce pigeon numbers in the town centre.

The Advertiser/Messenger recently featured a report on Celia Wilson, of Shaw Lane, Stoke Prior, who has a phobia about pigeons and was concerned about the growing numbers in Bromsgrove's High Street.

District council environmental health officer, Fred Collins, promised to investigate the matter and he has agreed pigeons can be a pest if numbers get out of hand.

Mr Collins added: "We have invited Mr Merchant to visit us after a resident expressed concern.

"She is particularly scared of pigeons and thinks their numbers have increased dramatically."

The authority has not received any other complaints but said humane measures will be taken if Mr Merchant is concerned about the population. The bird expert, who only charges expenses for his visits, last toured the town in February 2001 and remarked on how clean it was.

He counted only 75 pigeons, which is considered to be a small flock.

Mrs Wilson is pleased the council is taking action and said many people have commented on her phobia and said they also find the birds unpleasant.

PICAS is a charitable organisation formed almost three years ago which advises on all aspects of non-lethal bird control, but specialising in the control of pigeons.