You might want to think twice about feeding seagulls as a new ban comes into force on Monday. 

The measure is part of the new West Dorset Anti-Social Behaviour Related Public Space Protection Order 2018. 

These new rules for public places were drawn-up by West Dorset District Council after listening to your views. The rules on consuming alcohol in public remain largely the same, but the ban on feeding gulls is new. 

Signs will be going up in West Bay and Lyme Regis to tell people about the gull-feeding ban and advise that ignoring it could result in a £100 fixed penalty notice or prosecution.    

Councillor Alan Thacker, community safety and access spokesman for WDDC, said: “These measures aim to reduce anti-social behaviour still further and reduce the problem of aggressive gulls. 

“I’d like to thank people who took the trouble to have their say, we looked carefully at the responses and have taken a common sense approach.” 

A total of 579 people responded to the consultation on how public spaces should be managed.

The new order simplifies the existing regulations.