URGENT action is needed to tackle an “out-of-control” herring sea gull population in Eyemouth with residents and tourists facing increased bombardment, a councillor has warned.

Over the last four decades all British gulls have been protected by the European Birds Directive 2009/147/EC.

This has left a relatively small population to “grow out of control” in the seaside town, according to East Berwickshire independent representative James Anderson.

Mr Anderson said: “Those who survive face fledging which brings many threats for the young birds. The effect of the protection of the herring gull is we have a hungry, angry and desperate population in a population of four thousand people.

“Gulls now bombard residents and visitors like never before, swooping to protect their young while snatching fish and chips from the hands of visitors on the Bantry. A scary thing to happen when enjoying the seaside.

“Gulls have always been opportunistic; however, this summer they have been particularly hungry and determined to eat.

“Having a healthy gull population is all part of the seaside but when the population grows out of control we see rabid hungry birds on the attack.

“Residents across the town have been attacked while in their gardens or walking to the shops.

“Gulls also purposely pull at cars, removing rubber seals and anything that can be picked at.”

But the elected member says there can be “light at the end of the tunnel”.

Next month Mr Anderson is to submit a motion to Scottish Borders Council (SBC) in a bid to address the issue.

He added: “Previous years have seen eggs oiled to stop the chicks from developing in the egg. The parent gull sits on the egg waiting for hatching that never comes and a year’s brood is stopped.

“Two or three consecutive years can reduce the oversized population to manageable numbers which stops the cruel life cycle of starving birds and reduces the negative effects on the local population.”

The motion calls on Scottish Borders Council take urgent action to address the herring gull population in Eyemouth.

It states: “We believe that a coordinated effort between local authorities, conservation organisations, and government agencies is necessary to find a sustainable solution to this problem.”