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An Exeter pub's ongoing gull terror has reached its tipping point, with a radical solution signed off by bosses.

The Imperial, the city's landmark Wetherspoon pub off New North Road, has hired an expert to help rid them of the winged menace.

And that expert is also feathered.

The gulls will get a taste of their own medicine from a more fearsome bird of prey.

Watch above: Seagulls flock to scraps of food as diners cower

(Image: Alex Richards)

The issue with gulls dive-bombing at customer's dinners was witnessed on Sunday (July 28), when two dinners were snatched from separate tables of diners in just under an hour.

Staff were forced to clear the mess and offer replacement meals.

It's just a snapshot of a regular problem outdoors at the pub, especially as punters flock outdoors to soak up the sunshine.

Staff members are regularly seen flailing their arms to shoo away the birds scavenging scraps of food; whether people are sat in front of them or not.

poll loading Would you support a controlled cull of the seagull population? 3000+ VOTES SO FAR No, it's unethical and wrong Yes, other animals have been subject to culls in the UK

A spokesman for Wetherspoon said: "We can confirm that a large number of gulls, at The Imperial, is causing disruption for customers and staff in the pub gardens.

"Unfortunately, due to the size of the gardens, netting would be an impractical solution, because of the wide open space.

(Image: Alex Richards)

"Other options have been researched and a natural bird deterrent option has been agreed.

"Management at the pub have just gained approval for a Bird of Prey bird deterrent programme, to be carried out in the garden, as soon as possible."

What is the law on attacking or killing seagulls? All species of gull are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. This makes it illegal to intentionally or, in Scotland and Northern Ireland, recklessly injure or kill any gull or damage or destroy an active nest or its contents. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, it is also illegal to prevent birds from accessing their nest and, in Northern Ireland, it is illegal to disturb any nesting bird. In addition, the Mediterranean gull is protected under Schedule 1 of both acts. This makes it illegal to intentionally or recklessly disturb the birds at or close to their nest or to disturb their dependent young. Anyone convicted of cruelty against a seagull could be fined up to £5,000 and potentially jailed for up to six months. However, the UK administrations can issue licences, permitting nests to be destroyed or even birds to be killed if there is no non-lethal solution and if it is done to prevent serious damage to agriculture, the spread of disease, to preserve public health and safety and air safety, or to conserve other wild birds. These licences can be specific - issued to individuals on a case-by-case basis or general granted annually by the country administrations for use by an ‘authorised person’ (usually the landowner, occupier or someone authorised by them). The general licences their terms and conditions and the species to which they apply vary in different parts of the UK - they can be altered or withdrawn at any time. Anyone considering action against any gull must first consult the appropriate country agency for the current licence terms and conditions. These agencies should also be contacted for information on specific deterrent or control measures. Actions outside the terms and conditions of a general licence or those which have not been permitted by any other individual licences are criminal offences.

The bird of prey method has been deployed before in Exeter.

Both industrial estates, Marsh Barton and Sowton, have deployed the measure to scare seagulls and pigeons away from warehouse stock.

But Wetherspoon's measure is the second reaction to the explosive combination of human food waste and a growing population of gulls in the city this week.

Exeter Cathedral has introduced massive, gull-proof bins at another area of the city where people's lunches aren't safe from swooping birds.

It said: "In an effort to reduce litter on the green, we've replaced our old bins with new lidded bins that will keep the pesky seagulls out."

Devon's gulls, and seagull, population has hit international headlines this month.

A small dog in a back garden in Paignton was allegedly snatched up into a seagull's beak and carried off.

News reports across the globe have followed the desperate search to find Gizmo, a Chihuahua.