Bird scarers placed on Norwich Market to tackle problems with pigeons have had to be removed - after complaints about the glare which they created.

Eastern Daily Press: Pigeons at Norwich Market. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYPigeons at Norwich Market. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

The deterrents, which feature eyes and angled mirrors designed to frighten away birds, were taken down this week following 'a number of complaints'.

The council took action after people complained to City Hall that the light from the sun was reflecting off the mirrors and causing glare.

A spokeswoman for Norwich City Council said: 'There were four bird scarers installed a few months ago.

'They were part of a number of other approaches we've taken that use humane ways to, over time, discourage pigeons from roosting in the eaves of the stalls and deter them from coming into the market area in general.

Eastern Daily Press: Food stall owners have put signs up trying to stop customers feeding the pigeons at Norwich Market. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYFood stall owners have put signs up trying to stop customers feeding the pigeons at Norwich Market. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

'We received a number of complaints about the very bad glare caused by the sun at certain times of the day due to their positioning.

'So, we took them down on Monday and got in touch with the company which provided them.

'That is so that they can reposition them in such a way that the glare is no longer an issue and that they continue to do their job of discouraging pigeons from coming into the market area.'

In November last year, one of the market traders said the problems with pigeons had got so bad that it was driving customers away.Richard Lovett, from Reggie's tea stall, said, at that time, not enough was being done to tackle the pest problem.

Norwich market isn't the only place there have been complaints about the birds, which some people brand as 'rats with wings'.

In 2012, Norwich Castle revealed it was trying to tackle a 'sizeable' pigeon invasion.The slippery and disease-laden mess created by birds roosting at the 11th Century landmark was building up and preventing workers from reaching guttering and drains to unblock them.

Plans for a 'pigeon guarding system' at the castle were approved by the city council.

And, in Trafalgar Square, in London, repairing the damage to Nelson's Column caused by pigeon droppings cost £140,000.

The Greater London Assembly went on to pass a bylaw making it illegal to feed the pigeons, while hawks were introduced to frighten the birds away.