PESKY pigeons are being given a run for their money after council bosses brought in a hawk to scare them away - and stop them dumping their unpleasant payloads on people's heads.

The harris hawk and its handler have been seen several times on the roof of the county council's social services offices in Clacton.

The airborne attacker sends seagulls and pigeons screeching into the air as the hawk is released from the roof of the Magnet House building in Jackson Road.

An Essex Council spokesman said: “Due to the continued roosting of pigeons and seagulls on top of Magnet House, our partners Mitie are currently trialling the use of a hawk as a deterrent, to prevent the build-up of bird droppings at the building’s entrances.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Home to roost - on the roof of the social services' building

“This method is highly effective and environmentally friendly, as the hawk’s presence should quickly make an area undesirable for pest species, and in doing so help to keep Magnet House clean and safe in future.”