DEADLY birds of prey are being brought in to patrol Clacton Hospital and protect patients and staff – from swooping seagulls.

Hospital bosses have signed up pest controllers to wage war on pesky pigeons and gulls before they start nesting at the site.

A Harris hawk will spearhead the airborne offensive. The fearsome flier will make weekly patrols to scare off unwelcome feathered visitors.

Luke Roberts, of Rentokil, said: “Obviously there are gulls in Clacton and they are starting to pair off and nest on roofs as we come into spring.

“The gulls are quite vicious around there and start swooping and divebombing people. There is also quite a big pigeon problem as well.

“The hawk will just scare the hell out of them psychologically and they won’t return.”

Read the full story in the Clacton Gazette, out now.