THE menace of urban seagulls is to be tackled by destroying their nests.

THE menace of urban seagulls is to be tackled by destroying their nests.

Environment Minister Mike Russell today announced he was forming a Seagull Task Force to combat the growing problem.

It will find ways to prevent gulls from nesting and how nests can be effectively destroyed.

These include installing wires and spikes in known nesting areas.

Mr Russell said: "Seagulls thrive on litter and their aggressive behaviour towards other birds, pets and even people is increasingly problematic.

"I even read this week about a young paperboy who has had to abandon his deliveries due to attacks from the birds."

In Glasgow, gull numbers have increased over the last 25 years largely due to the boom in fast-food outlets.

The city council says its public health unit is receiving a rising number of complaints about the gulls.

They include aggression, droppings and the birds raiding refuse bags and bins.

Last month the Evening Times reported how a falcon taking part in the Glasgow Show was chased by up to 50 gulls.

It failed to return to its handler after it was "dive-bombed" and wasn't recovered until two days later.

And at the Faslane naval base, sailors watched as a five-week old kitten was snatched and then dropped on to a barbed wire fence by a gull.

The task force will start work in Dumfries.

Mr Russell said: "I expect the task force to swing into action next spring to coincide with the next breeding season.

"If successful, lessons learned will be shared with other local authorities."