Councillors in Cheltenham could be set to deploy the most hi-tech deterrent yet in the town’s war on gulls – a drone.

The mobile copter would zoom across the town to spot rooftop nests that could then be targeted by prevention methods in a bid to tackle the birds, which are causing sleepless nights for some residents.

Spotting the gulls’ homes with the rotored robot would mean officials could oil more eggs to prevent them hatching.

A council working group has come up with a series of recommendations to put to Cheltenham Borough Council’s cabinet to agree.

Of them, a drone was advised for purchase as well as working with the highways authority – Gloucestershire County Council – to temporarily close roads “more easily to allow a more nimble approach to treating nests”.

According to a report to be presented to the council’s overview and scrutiny committee, urban gull colonies have risen from 239 in 2000 to 473 in 2015 – an increase of nearly 100 per cent.

It has shot up because of generally higher temperatures in towns, street lighting allowing night time foraging, urban refuse and nearby landfill sites, and buildings which provide safe nesting sites, the council document said.

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