PEOPLE have been urged not to feed pigeons in a town centre over fears they could cause disease.

Complaints have been raised about people feeding pigeons in Dalton town centre - leading to unsightly droppings being left on the street.

But fears have also been raised that the droppings left by the birds could cause health problems.

The area in front of Greggs and the Sharples property agents has been picked out as the hotspot for the problem.

The Dalton Community Action Group said:  "We have received complaints about the pigeon problem that has started outside Greggs.

"It looks like someone had been feeding them with grain which was evident all over the pavement outside Greggs and Sharples on Saturday morning.

"This is causing a few issues with bird dropping, not just one or two droppings but a great deal.

"Please don't encourage this by feeding them as it attracts more and they cause health problems.

"Breathing dust or water droplets containing contaminated bird droppings can lead to several diseases including Psittacosis – this is a rare infectious disease caused by a bacterium called C.psittaci.

"It is mainly associated with parrots and other similar species but does affect other birds, including pigeons."

Psittacosis is an acute respiratory disease with an incubation period of between one and four weeks.

The disease is said to typically cause flu-like symptoms but can lead to severe pneumonia and non-respiratory health problems.

Although human disease may often be 'mild or moderate', it can be 'severe' especially when untreated in elderly or immunocompromised individuals.

Despite the concerns, the disease is very rare, with between 25 and 50 cases laboratory confirmed in England and Wales each year.

Describing transmission of the disease, the Government said:  "Those at greatest risk of contracting the disease include bird fanciers and owners of pet birds.

"Pet shop employees and others whose occupation places them at risk of exposure (such as poultry slaughter-house workers, veterinarians, wildlife and zoo workers) are also at risk.

"Because human infection can result from brief, passing exposure to infected birds or their dried contaminated droppings, people with no identified occupational or recreational risk can become infected."