WORK is underway to clean up an historic shopping alley in Wellington covered in pigeon droppings.

The owners of a derelict building in Cornhill, which became a roosting spot for pigeons, have boarded up a broken window in a bid to rid the street of the pests.

It comes as the town council threatened them with the Health & Safety Executive after complaints about mess and broken glass.

Assistant town clerk Debbie Bere said: “We are happy work’s started, but hope the full work is undertaken in the New Year as promised.

“We’re in touch with the property agents in London and hope this is resolved.”

The window, above the arch at the entrance in Fore Street, has been broken for some time, meaning pigeons could roost in the property.

As reported in the County Gazette, this left a trail of droppings along the pavement, forcing shop owners to clean it up themselves.

Sharon Davis, owner of Interiors and Flowers by Design, scrubs the path outside her store with a brush almost daily and wants further action, such as spikes on window ledges.

She said: “Spikes is all it needs because they’re sitting on the drains and window sills.

“They’re not expensive and it would solve the problem.

“The boarding looks shocking, but it has stopped them getting in.

“It was dangerous and a piece of glass fell and almost hit me – it could have been a lot worse. It could have been a pushchair passing by or anything.

“It could be a beautiful alley. If it was Bath, London or York it wouldn’t be allowed.

“I see people covering their heads when they walk near the arch – it’s not funny because my business and next door are being affected.”