Readers have responded to a story about the massive amount of seagulls that have been occupying a Whitehaven estate.

A long standing problem with gulls at Red Lonning, near St Benedict's School, is getting worse, with people reported to have been woken as early as 4am by the noise.

Graham Roberts, who represents the Harras ward on Whitehaven Town Council, said he was concerned about children being attacked by the birds while eating.

He said: "My concern with this is pupils nearby from the two schools."

"If they are eating something, they may get their face pecked.

"I think we have got to get it under control."

Julie Rayson, who represents Hillcrest on Whitehaven Town Council, said it was an ongoing problem since building developments nearby.

Campus Whitehaven, which brought St Benedict’s School and Mayfield School together on one site, and The Gables care home, have been built near Red Lonning in recent years.

Mrs Rayson said: “That ground was derelict for quite a long time so they were nesting on there for a while.

“There’s a pond of water near St Benedict’s School from when the campus was built. The seagulls are on there and the campus grounds."

Here is what you had to say.

Brigitta Adele believes that it is not the birds who are the biggest offenders with pollution: "Every creature has a right to live and humans are the worst mammals on the planet.

"We make more mess and cause more damage."

Ann Nicholson Dalton adds: "They are only moving further inland because us humans are taking their environment and maybe if we were not so scruffy leaving rubbish, throwing rubbish everywhere, then maybe they would go back to living how they are supposed to lie.

"All creatures deserve to live and the only way they attack is when they protect their young."

Donna Fidoe believes it is part and parcel of living in the area: "If folk don't like seagulls then don't live in a seaside town."

Victoria McCourt reported on the problem stretching further: "They wake us up on roofs at Cleator Moor."

Susan Knipe says the seagulls are just excited that everyone is back: "They plague everyone and it will be worse at the minute because there has been no one around for them to annoy for ages, they will have missed it."