PIGEONS are homing in on York's most splendid council house. And even an ornithologist such as Lord Mayor Coun Charles Hall has become fed up with the resultant pebble-dashing of his home.

So the Mansion House is to be fitted with anti-pigeon spikes. That should take those birdbrains down a perch or two. South Bank residents will only hope this does not encourage them to flock to Rowntree Park. They have enough trouble there with the geese.

Updated: 10:16 Friday, March 19, 2004