Residents quizzed on peacock move

Residents in the village of Martin are being asked if they want a group of peacocks to be ousted.

Resident John Audis, 65, said the 11 peacocks, including one named Percy, have become a nuisance.

He said they were causing problems by standing in the road in front of cars, damaging gardens and waking people up early in the morning with mating calls. Notices have been put up in the village asking for residents' opinions on the peacocks by 20 July.

Martin Parish Council chairman Mike Stephens said the villagers are being asked whether they want the birds removed - and opinion seems split 50-50 so far.

Wild or not?

The council will make a decision on the birds at its meeting at the end of next month.

Mr Stephens said it was assumed the peacocks were wild, but some residents believe they may be owned by a local man who is on holiday.

There have already been several offers from people who want to adopt the birds - but none of them live in the immediate area.

Mr Audis said: "They go round in people's gardens and nip heads off flowers.

"We had an old one [peacock] here for years but he got a mate, they had four young ones and now another five have been born.

"Some people like them, some people don't. They are not violent towards people but just cause a bit of a nuisance."