Sidmouth beachgoers will be saved from an airborne nuisance this year after the town council agreed to fund a new seagull management plan.

The contract to scare the birds away from the town was previously awarded to the now disgraced celebrity falconer Jonathan Marshall.

Late last year, Sidmouth Town Council was forced to quickly seek a new arrangement when Marshall was banned from keeping endangered birds of prey after he admitted forging an animal passport for his Golden Eagle.

Speaking at a meeting on Monday, chairman John Hollick said: “For various reasons, as I am sure you are aware, we will not be using the same service as before.”

Town clerk Christopher Holland received a quote from a company that currently manages the seagull population for the Brend Hotel group.

The cost of £5,000 – £450 more than previously budgeted - was deemed worth it by councillors, who agreed to the proposed contract for the service.

This addition to the council budget was counter-balanced by the decision to cut £500 from the amount allocated for advertisements.