THE time has come to get rid of those rats with wings from the centre of Wycombe.

Pigeons have been making a mess of the town for too long and are a major health hazard.

The problem, though, lies with the mindless idiots who keep on feeding them. Take away their food and the pigeons will soon leave us in peace and fly away.

That's why I'm in total agreement with Wycombe district councillor John Dalton (Independent) who wants to make it a criminal offence to feed such vermin in the town centre.

If there was a by-law, with a big fine for offenders, people would soon think twice about dropping bread crumbs from their left over sandwiches.

I can see what those pigeon loving supporters will be saying in defence of their feathered friends.

This is, after all, freezing-cold-concrete-covered-Wycombe.

There are obviously no luscious trees for the birds to feed on and they will therefore starve. Good, and the sooner the better. This is not bully boy tactics. It has to be done for the greater good.

London mayor Ken Livingstone has shown himself to be a true hero with his attempts to eradicate the pigeon menace from Trafalgar Square.

The capital's famous landmark has been overtaken by the birds thanks to a pigeon feed seller and tourists willing to buy the seed.

But people visiting the square can now look forward to a cleaner environment after the seller agreed to stop trading in return for a cash payment. The food is being withdrawn at the moment.

But the problem now needs to be tackled in Wycombe.

There are signs up in the town telling people not to feed the pigeons but nobody seems to be paying attention.

Surely a concerted campaign by the council would persuade the Government to back the by-law, which should be district wide.

As for enforcement, we already have those useful CCTV cameras looking down at us, so offenders could be identified and caught without too much extra cash being spent.

Council taxpayers will be forking out thousands of pounds to improve areas like Frogmoor, and don't want it ruined by unsightly droppings from a pigeon population that is growing out of control.

WELL done to Wycombe district councillor Anthea Hardy for giving those railway buffs a slap on the wrist for getting in the way of plans to redevelop Wycombe's railway station. Did we really want a "shack" at the station to become a listed building?

Now the taxpayer will be left with a bigger bill for the project as planners will have to work around the building.

Thank you to Margaret Smith for stepping into the breach last week while I moved house. Nice excuse for a week's holiday.