A new plea has gone out to tackle noisy birds that have been blamed for attacks on people, with officials warning: "Don't feed the seagulls."

The message has gone out from Copeland Council in a new campaign to residents.

An information leaflet has been published by the council to help counter some of the problems seagulls bring to Whitehaven and the borough's other coastal towns.

Lena Hogg, Copeland’s councillor for environmental health, said: "Seagulls are a prominent feature of all seaside towns, but they do create problems.

"They can be noisy, they can spread rubbish and they’ve been known to attack people on the harbour.

"The message to residents and visitors is very simple – do not feed seagulls, and do all you can to eliminate their food source.

"Feeding them increases their population as they go to where they know they can get food."

The leaflet details the law as it relates to seagulls.

It also outlines what measures can be taken to deter them, including eliminating their food source and preventing nesting sites.

Copeland Council has been supported by Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners in the production and distribution of the leaflet.

Celia MacKenzie, chief executive of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, spoke about the issue.

She said: “We fully support – and are grateful for – Copeland Council’s effort in producing this leaflet.

“It gives accurate information and good advice on how to try and deal with the problems the gulls bring to the town and the harbour.”

The leaflet has been circulated to parish councils in Copeland, as well as Whitehaven town centre and harbourside businesses.

A host of work is being done to tackle the problems that nuisance seagulls cause.

Seagull proof bags are being offered to Whitehaven residents in a bid to tackle litter.

The bags, which are available from the town council, stop seagulls and vermin from tearing apart refuse sacks, which causes litter problems.

One bag per household for residents in the town council’s area can be obtained free of charge from the town council at Whitehaven Civic Hall, Monday to Friday, during normal office hours.

Bags are reusable, so people's existing plastic bag should be placed inside and left at the usual collection point.

The first bag is free. Further bags cost £2.61 each.

Problems with seagulls are a regular issue across parts of Cumbria, with trouble reported in the past in places including Carlisle.