PEOPLE could be fined if they feed seagulls in Bridport and Lyme Regis under new council proposals.

West Dorset District Council is creating a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) - covering dog controls, anti-social behaviour and feeding seagulls.

The new PSPO would replace current dog orders, and it is hoped it will be in place before the end of the financial year.

The district council's overview and scrutiny committee discussed the proposals on Tuesday (27), and will launch a public consultation, before the executive committee examine the plans.

The order will need the agreement of the full council before being put into action.

In a report to the committee, Jane Williams, team leader for public health, said: "Seagull behaviour has increasingly been cited as aggressive, noisy and risks the public safety through ‘attacks’ to acquire food.

"The antisocial behaviour consultation asks whether it is appropriate to consider controlling the intentional feeding of gulls in Lyme Regis and West Bay in dedicated areas as a means to prevent increasing concerns for public safety.

"Gulls can be noisy, aggressive and intrusive where food is made readily available. By reducing this availability we are urging them to return to more natural feeding habits, and encouraging human use of open spaces."

Members of Bridport Town Council's plans committee offered support for the new orders, but raised concerns over enforcement.

Cllr Dave Rickard, who also sits on the district council's overview and scrutiny committee, said: "If we haven't got anybody monitoring this, we will be powerless.

"With A PSPO, we would lose that power to enforce.

"This is a threat but if it cannot be enforced, it will be an empty threat. It will have to be well worked and thought out."

Leader of the town council, Cllr Sarah Williams, said she would "absolutely" support the new order, but was wary about the seagulls instead flocking to the town centre.

She said: "As long as it doesn't extend our seagulls in Bridport.

"If they are not getting fed in West Bay, they are going to come up here to get fed."

Members of the public will be asked for their views on including a control over the feeding of gulls. People will also be asked if and when dogs should continue to be excluded from beaches in West Bay. It is also proposed to continue making it an offence to stop drinking or surrender alcohol when asked to in a designated area in Bridport town centre.

Earlier this year, Lyme Regis Town Council launched a campaign to "educate the public" not to feed seagulls. Spearheaded by Cllr Richard Doney, signs have been put up along the seafront, while restaurants and take-away outlets have put notices on packaging, discouraging people from feeding the birds.