MALVERN'S pigeons will be sitting pretty when they are given their very own custom-made dovecote.

The district council is planning to solve the town's pigeon population problem by building them a specially-designed nesting box.

The idea is to control the birds' nesting, feeding and breeding patterns and, therefore, cut down on the number of pigeons nesting in the town.

Pigeon droppings are very acidic and attack the stone work of buildings. The birds also carry mites and are considered a health risk.

Initially, the council was planning to cull the pigeons but, following a public outcry, agreed to follow the advice of the Pigeon Control Advisory Service (PICAS) and introduce a nesting scheme. This, combined with restricted feeding, is considered the most effective way to reduce the population.

Andy Ferguson, the council's environment team manager, said a Malvern joiner has produced a design for the dovecote.

"Now I want to go back to Guy Merchant, from PICAS, to make sure he's happy with the designs," he said.

"I'm not certain whether we'll need planning permission. That will depend on the height, but we're hoping to put the dovecote up in the New Year."