THE bid by Liskeard town council, to cull the number of gulls in the town this year, and so lessen problems with the birds during coming summers, has been unsuccessful.

Unfortunately the contractor, who carries out the cull in Looe and who was asked to work in Liskeard as well this year, has been taken ill and is unable to carry out the contract.

Liskeard town council clerk, Brenda Furse, said that this setback means that the pricking of seagull eggs has been abandoned for 2000, because the chicks have already hatched out.

It was at their May town council meeting that members decided that they had better act soon to cut down seagull numbers, as nesting had already begun.

Looe town council was immediately contacted for details, and the contractor engaged. However, no-one has been found to take his place following his illness.

Mrs Furse said that around 25 enquiries had been received from people wishing to have eggs, laid in nests on their roofs, pricked.

She stressed that the council will be carrying out a cull next year. Posters have been distributed around the town, urging people not to feed the gulls, in a bid to beat the menace.