You might want to think twice before feeding seagulls, as new rules mean you could be hit with a hefty fine.

More than 500 people have had their say on how public places should be managed in West Dorset and, as a result of the consultation, West Dorset District Council (WDDC) has drawn up new rules about public places - in particular, feeding seagulls.

The new 'West Dorset Anti-Social Behaviour-Related Public Space Protection Order 2018' will come into effect on April 23

Under the new PSPO, people are prohibited from providing or depositing food for gulls within restricted areas set out by the council.

People found guilty of feeding the gulls could be fined £100.

In West Bay, the prohibited area will cover coastal areas including East Beach, Jurassic Pier, The Quay and streets such as Forty Foot Way, The Esplanade, Quayside Station Road, Station Way and West Bay Road.

There will also be a ban along coastal areas of Lyme Regis including Marine Parade, the harbour, slipway and sea walls, as well as streets including Broad Street, Cart Road, Cobb Road, George Street, Langmoor Close, Pound Street and Style Lane.

The council said the new rules aim to reduce the problem of aggressive seagulls and ensure anti-social behaviour remains low in West Dorset - the order also covers the consumption of alcohol in public places but the council said these rules are largely unchanged.

Bridport, Dorchester and West Bay have controlled alcohol zones where officers will be able to direct a person not to consume alcohol within the designated areas if they have the 'reasonable belief that such as direction is necessary to prevent public nuisance, public disorder or anti-social behaviour.'

People who do not comply could be fined.

Cllr Alan Thacker, community safety and access spokesman for West Dorset District Council, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to have their say and let the district council know how they think public spaces should be managed.

“We looked carefully at the results and have tried to take a common sense approach, which aims to reduce anti-social behaviour still further and reduce the problem of aggressive