Tax reprieve hope for bird racers

Mr O'Connell and Mr Sim asked the Queen for help

The government has pledged to rethink the imposition of business rates on pigeon racing clubs, after enthusiasts in Northumberland sought royal help.

Pigeon racing is not classed as a sport and enthusiasts are now faced with an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) levy on the cages used to house birds.

Members of Belford Racing Pigeon Club wrote to the Queen as patron of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA).

Now Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has said she will reconsider the issue.

Responding to a question in the House of Commons, Ms Blears said she would "look again" at the rules for business rates.

Pay up

Under proposals to introduce rates on sports clubs and village halls, groups can formally apply for dispensation from HMRC for 80% relief and then to their local authority for a 20% reduction.

Sports such as yoga, arm-wrestling and trampolining are also exempt from paying rates.

But because pigeon racing is not currently recognised as a sport like football, racers have been told they will have to pay up.

Recognition of a sport is a joint process, operated by the UK's four home country Sports Councils and UK Sport.

Berwick independent councillor for Belford, Geoff O'Connell, who raised the campaign on behalf of enthusiasts, said: "I am delighted to see that the government's pigeon policy seems to have finally come home to roost!".