"Don't feed the pigeons!"

That is the message from Mold Town Council who have written to residents in a bid to stop the town centre blighted by foul-smelling pigeon poo.

After a letter issued to residents by Mold Town Council warning them not to feed the birds, especially on Daniel Owen Square, the Leader hit the streets of Mold to find out what its people make of the issue.

Daniel Owen Square is a hotspot for pigeons, and also for their droppings, and the council are concerned about the general state of the square.

The letter read: ''Mold Town Council has received numerous complaints regarding the impact of pigeon droppings in the public spaces across the town and in particular Daniel Owen Square.

''The overall impact of the increasing pigeon population is causing not only a nuisance, but also a potential health risk to the community. Public benches, walls, paving, civic features (and visitors to the town themselves) are all being affected and inconvenienced by bird droppings.

''Not only is this making the aria unsightly, the costs of regularly cleaning the area are substantial. The public are being asked not to feed the pigeons in the areas most affected within Mold town centre.''

On Monday afternoon, people in Mold were approached for comments on whether they were for or against the council's stance, or whether they would take it a step further with culling the birds, as has been the case in Chester.

Ginette Laird from Mold said: ''It's just common sense that wouldn't feed them, they're treated vermin and you wouldn't feed a rat.

''But they have got to live and survive somewhere, so don't want to see them moved or killed, just not fed.''

Glyn Williams, originally from Vancouver but living in Mold agreed, adding: ''People shouldn't feed them at all, no way. By law there should be notices in the town centre shop windows that warns people not to feed them.''

Joe Jones, a farmer from Rhosesmor, said: ''I suppose it's a bad idea to feed them, it only attract more and they do stain statues and benches.

''I'm not keen to see them culled but neither would I have a go at people at wanting to see it done.''

Brian Morrell from Mold was in agreement, he added: ''Don;'t feed them and I'd have no objection to them being culled, but if not at least but some wire mesh under the trees to catch their droppings.''

But Barbara Beck from Eryrys went against the grain.

''I actually like pigeons, I love all birds and animals. And even if people were to stop feeding them, they'd still flock here.

''I wouldn't want to see them culled but can understand why it's seen as a necessity.''

Brian Lee, from Gwernaffield, said: ''Feeding them will only lead to more and more of them coming here and making a mess.

''If it gets out of hand, culling the population is the only way so it's something that needs to be looked at for sure.

''At the end of the day it's costing us all money to cleaning it all up.''