AN Upton family's pet cockerel is facing destruction because of complaints about its early morning crowing.

Derek Hickman, of Greenfields, Tunnel Hill, is angry at the way council officers have investigated the alleged noise nuisance, saying they have tried to "whip up" complaints from his neighbours.

He said the cockerel, a family pet, was not the only one in the neighbourhood and he did not believe it was a nuisance.

"I don't encourage him to run around at 2.30am. All the chickens go into a purpose-built ark at night and they are completely in the dark," said Mr Hickman.

He said his three children, aged 11, 13 and 14, liked to see the hens sitting on the eggs and watch the chicks hatching out.

"The sad thing is that we can't have any more chicks without a cockerel. At the moment he is on Death Row but he hasn't been executed yet," he said.

Mr Hickman said he understood that environmental health officers had to investigate complaints, but he believed they had gone too far.

Neighbour Jeffrey Beardsley, of Hydefields, said: "The council sent us a form to fill in about what time the cockerel crows. It's absolutely ridiculous.

"I've lived here eight years and before Mr Hickman moved in there was a family keeping chickens and they were squawking night and morning. It's part and parcel of living in the country."

Environmental health chief Frank Seabright, of Malvern Hills District Council, said several complaints had been received.

"We initially advised the owners of two cockerels of the complaints and during visits to the properties discussed ways of trying to reduce or eliminate the crowing early in the morning," he said.

As the problem continued, complainants were asked to keep detailed records, said Mr Seabright.

"We're not whipping up complaints, we're trying to establish the level of effect. If people don't feel it's a problem, that's fine. "We now understand that one of the cockerels has been removed and will be taking action regarding any continuing nuisance."