RESTORATION of an historic Ribble Valley library's clock tower has presented county hall bosses with an unusual side effect - homeless pigeons.

Lancashire County Council is preparing to submit plans which would involve throwing netting over part of the Church Street listed building and using metal wires to keep the pigeons from perching on window ledges.

Their move came after complaints were received about the birds' new roost and the dangers it posed for shoppers below -- not to mention the unusual sight of librarians chasing pigeons who had taken to flying into the library.

Clitheroe Town Council complained about the environmental nuisance to Ribble Valley Council, which in turn complained to Lancashire County Council, which operates the library.

Town councillor Ruth Hargreaves said: "The problems began when repairs were done to the clock tower, where the pigeons have lived for a long time.

"They couldn't get into it any more so they just started living on the ledges, which has caused all sorts of problem. Because they are on the window ledges, when we open the windows in the library they fly in and we have to chase them back out again.

"The amount of droppings on the pavements in the area is noticeably more since they moved, but I am not sure if netting is the answer.

"It would look unsightly."

Ribble Valley Council confirmed it had done an inspection of the site, but had deemed the 15 pigeons they had found not to be a health hazard.

They did, however, admit the amount of 'splash' had increased and that more pigeons could be living there at other times.

James Russell, Ribble Valley Council's environmental health manager, said: "We are aware that there is a colony of feral pigeons roosting on the roof of Clitheroe Library.

"Our attention was drawn to the problem by Clitheroe Town Council, following complaints about droppings on the pavement outside the library. The building is owned by Lancashire County Council."