A FUND to tackle gulls in the city looks set to be doubled to £30,000 if councillors approve plans.

Worcester City Council’s environment committee has been asked the increase the annual kitty to pay for a dedicated member of staff to flesh out new initiatives and ensure it is doing all it can to deter gulls.

The budget to tackle the problems posed by the city’s gulls was upped to £15,000 last year.

The council currently spends around £5,500 a year on tricking gulls by substituting real eggs for rubber dummies in a bid to limit the number of hatchlings. If the call for an increased budget is approved at a meeting on Tuesday (October 23), the city council would expand the areas it replaces eggs.

Egg replacement – which councillors have long-said was the easiest and best way to minimise the problem – also minimises the amount of food gulls need to scavenge for and prevents the birds from becoming aggressive when protecting chicks.

Earlier this year, the city council trialled the use of a drone in spotting hard-to-find nests and the council has said it would continue using the drones - as well as cherry pickers - to locate well-hidden nests.

As well as replacing eggs, the city council has trialled ‘gull-proof’ bins at ten locations throughout the city centre.

The city council has yet to find a suitable site to trial a ‘red roof’ scheme which it is said would deter gulls from nesting.

In collaboration with Worcester BID and Worcestershire Regulatory Services, the city council advises businesses - particularly those with outdoor seating areas - on what to do to limit the problem.

With more money, the council said it could extend the advice to businesses in St John's, Blackpole and Bedwardine.