'Cock fight' over noise complaint

The council said complaints had been made about Rooster and Gobi

A family has been told to get rid of two pet cockerels after complaints from neighbours - but is now taking the fight to court.

Alex Panayotti said 12-year-old daughter Stella, who uses a wheelchair, had grown very attached to the pair at their Inverbervie house.

Aberdeenshire Council has told the family to address the Rooster and Gobi noise issue complaints.

The family is set to challenge the ruling in court in November.

Mr Panayotti told the BBC Scotland news website: "I hatched the eggs in November and first received a complaint in March.

It's similar to the noise a lawnmower makes, or traffic, or seagulls - and you can't ban them Alex Panayotti

"We keep them in a light-proof coop until nine in the morning. However, neighbours complained about day-time noise.

"We cannot see how they can be a statutory nuisance, it's similar to the noise a lawnmower makes, or traffic, or seagulls - and you can't ban them."

Mr Panayotti said Stella had used a wheelchair since suffering rheumatic fever earlier this year, and was concerned at the effect losing the two cockerels would have on her.

'A solution'

Their appeal is set to be heard at Stonehaven Sheriff Court.

An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said: "Following a number of complaints to Aberdeenshire Council about the level of noise being made by a pair of cockerels in Inverbervie, a statutory notice was served on their owner in August this year.

"The notice, served by environmental health officers, required the owner to find a solution to the noise issue.

"There is an appeal mechanism for such notices and we understand the individual concerned has chosen to follow this route, although we haven't yet been served papers to that effect."