A pair of hawks are helping in the battle to rid pigeons from the skies of Cannock Chase.

In its latest effort to clear Cannock and Rugeley town centres of pigeons, Cannock Chase District Council has enlisted the help of two Harris Hawks called Ernie and Leia.

The council’s environmental health department has commissioned NBC Bird and Pest Solutions – a national company with an office in Burntwood, to use the hawks to frighten pigeons away from the town centres.

NBC has done work in London’s Trafalgar Square and is currently employed across the country by local authorities and businesses. Their falconers will be in the town centres for five weeks from this week.

But the project has not won the support of everyone after Caroline Shannon, from Handsacre, a regular visitor to Rugeley, claimed the use of the hawks was cruel. She said: “This is the peak nesting season for birds and pigeons and these hawks could mean the pigeons youngsters are abandoned in the nests to starve. That is not very humane.

“The pigeons are there because of people feeding them and because the are descended from lost racing pigeons.”

The 62-year-old said: “Letting anything suffer is cruel and to invite children to visit and watch the hawks work is terrible.”

The council claims feral pigeons make buildings look dirty and could also pose a health risk as they often carry diseases.

The authority said using hawks was a proven method and is well-received by the public as a natural and humane way of scaring pigeons. In a statement the council said: “It is positive action to reduce the problems caused by pigeons, as well as showing regard for those residents who want no harm caused to the birds.”

NBC will also be removing nests from the town centre and removing pigeon carcasses and have appealed for schools to contact them in order to visit town centres to see their birds of prey in the flesh.

Councillor Tony Williams, cabinet member for the environment said: “Pigeons are causing a real problem in Rugeley and Cannock town centres. A particular problem is the mess they cause – droppings not only make buildings look unsightly but can cause long-term damage in the worst cases and they carry disease.”

He warned people not to feed pigeons adding: “The council looks very seriously on this and can issue £75 fines.”