Anti-pigeon measures brought in

Pigeon droppings can cause serious damage to buildings

Special measures have been brought in to protect a 19th Century building in a Nottinghamshire town from pigeons.

Netting and spikes have been fixed to the roof of the Old Town Hall in Mansfield to stop pigeons from nesting.

In 2007, 1.5 tonnes of pigeon droppings - which can erode stonework because of their acidity - were removed from the building on the Market Place.

As well as causing damage to buildings, pigeons and their droppings can carry a range of diseases harmful to humans.

District councillor Kate Allsop said: "The Old Town Hall is one of Mansfield's most prominent public buildings.

"It is appropriate that the council is proactively taking steps under the Public Health Act to safeguard it and save the district's residents from an expensive repair bill."