Pensioner's Asbo for bird feeding

Residents complained about the bird droppings and noise

A 66-year-old bird lover has been given an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) stopping him feeding the wild pigeons outside his home for two years.

Bernard Hambleton, who has terminal cancer, says he fears he will die before the order runs out.

Stockport magistrates made the Asbo after complaints over four years by other residents over the bird droppings and noise.

About 70 pigeons gather outside Mr Hambleton's Reddish home.

Speaking through his partner, Carole Maiden, Mr Hambleton, who had his voice box removed as part of his treatment, said the order had destroyed his only hobby.

Mrs Maiden said: "He's been doing it for 20 years. He might not be alive when the Asbo runs out.

It's just a shame for the birds Carole Maiden Mr Hambleton's partner

"It started off as the Asbos should be for yobs. But now they are targeting older people. We're an easy target as pensioners."

Stockport Council, which said it had received 22 complaints about the pigeons, argued in court that the bird droppings were a health risk.

When Mr Hambleton, a former coal merchant, retired he began to feed the birds from a bag of corn every day outside his home in Woodstock Road.

A council spokesman said: "Mr Hambleton was warned by the authorities on numerous occasions about feeding the wild birds and his abusive behaviour.

'Ignored warnings'

"However, he chose to ignore these warnings, which resulted in the application for the Asbo.

"The smell and nuisance caused to local residents by the large amount of bird droppings from pigeons attracted by his persistent feeding, and the carcasses of dead birds and the health implications, meant that action had to be taken."

The Asbo prevents Mr Hambleton from feeding wild pigeons near or at his home, and from using abusive, offensive, threatening or intimidating language or behaviour.

Mrs Maiden said Mr Hambleton would abide by the order.

"He's going to have to. It's just a shame for the birds," she said.