A TRADER has said that seagulls on Barry Island are becoming a menace and spoiling the experience for people visiting the area.

Mark Vockins, owner of Quasar, recounted his disastrous experience of trying to eat chips on the promenade last weekend and said that something needs to be done to keep the gulls at bay.

"We are told they are a protected bird," he said. "What about the endangered species called tourists?

"Visitors will not come back to eat on the Island if they are going to get attacked by the birds."

Mark explained: "I was eating out on Friday (July 17) at around 1.30pm on Barry Island outside Boofy's Western shelter.

"I choose Boofy's because it is under the shelter and I thought it would offer protection from the seagulls. I was mistaken.

"The seagulls were flying around under the shelter with no fear. The guy on the table next to me had two small children with him and had to keep getting up to chase them away.

"I know a few people who regularly come to the Island for something to eat and have had food taken from their hands by the seagulls.

"I have also witnessed several visitors being attacked by them as well. Something needs to be done."

Mark continued, saying that he thought the signs discouraging visitors from feeding the birds on the Island were inadequate and gave some of his own ideas on how to rid the beach front of the seagulls.

"The signs which have been put up warning people not to feed them are small and few in numbers," he said.

"A bird of prey would be a good idea for busy times on the Island so visitors can enjoy sitting out side to eat instead of hiding away inside.

"Another thing that could be done is to fine people who feed the seagulls. A previous campaign on littering was a success with many people fined and word spread.

"Hopefully common sense will prevail and someone in the Vale of Glamorgan council will take a stand and improve the lives of locals, traders and visitors to Barry Island."

A spokesman for the Vale council said that they support advising people to refrain from feeding the birds during the summer months.

Operational Manager for Waste Management and Cleansing, Clifford Parish, said: “The Council supports the advice given by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds who say it is simply not necessary to feed birds from May to October as there is nearly always enough natural food available.

“Doing so can not only contribute to attracting and sustaining a possible rodent population, but could result in accumulations of gulls in certain areas that present a public nuisance to visitors.”