Court threat over noisy cockerels

A Norfolk man is facing possible court action over the noise caused by five stray cockerels which have taken up residence in his garden.

Roger Popay said he had received a letter from Great Yarmouth Borough Council after complaints about "early-morning noise from roaming chickens".

The 65-year-old from Stokesby has been told the birds could put him in breach of environmental protection laws.

Despite not owning them, he feeds them and allows them to roost in his garden.

'Excess noise'

Mr Popay, a full-time carer for his disabled wife June, 63, said: "They go from one place to another.

They're not my chickens but I seem to have inherited all the problems that go with them Roger Popay

"I don't know where they came from but because they roost in my tree - and I put out wild bird seed - the council is saying I'm providing shelter and food for them."

The letter, from the council's environmental health department, advised Mr Popay he could be breaking the law if the "excess noise" from the birds was found to be disrupting the sleep of residents or the "peaceful enjoyment of their property".

Mr Popay said: "They're not my chickens but I seem to have inherited all the problems that go with them.

"We don't want them to go because they're part of village life - and they're only doing what comes naturally."

No one from the council was available for comment.

A "noise nuisance" section on the authority's website says most issues are resolved "informally" but "if problems persist, the council has powers to formally address the issues".