People who feed the gulls in West Bay and Lyme Regis could be fined as new rules are brought in by the council.

More than 500 people had their say about how public places should be managed in West Dorset.

As a result of the consultation, West Dorset District Council (WDDC) has drawn-up new rules about public places and in particular feeding seagulls. 

The new 'West Dorset Anti-Social Behaviour Related Public Space Protection Order 2018' will come into effect on April 23.

Under the new PSPO people are prohibited from 'providing or depositing food for the gulls consumption' within restricted areas set out by the council. 

People found guilty of feeding the gulls could be fined. 

In West Bay the 'feeding of gulls prohibited area' will cover coastal areas including some beaches and streets Forty Foot Way, The Esplanade,

Quayside Station Road, Station Way and West Bay Road. 

There will also be a ban along coastal areas of Lyme Regis and include Broad Street, Cart Road, Cobb Road, George Street, Langmoor Close, Pound Street and Style Lane.

The council said the new rules aim to reduce the problem of aggressive seagulls and ensure anti-social behaviour remains low in West Dorset.

The order also covers the consumption of alcohol in public places but the council said these rules are largely unchanged. 

Bridport, Dorchester and West Bay have 'controlled alcohol zones' where officers will be able to direct a person not to consume alcohol within the designated areas if they have the 'reasonable belief that such as direction is necessary to prevent public nuisance, public disorder or anti-social behaviour.' 

People who do not comply could be fined. 

Councillor Alan Thacker, community safety and access spokesman for West Dorset District Council, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to have their say and let the district council know how they think public spaces should be managed.

“We looked carefully at the results and have tried to take a common sense approach, which aims to reduce anti-social behaviour still further and reduce the problem of aggressive seagulls.”