HORRIFIED Darwen residents complained after council pest control staff wrung pigeons' necks in the street.

Staff, ordered to rid the town of some of its pigeon population, congregated on top of the Darwen market rotunda in full view of shoppers. They set about catching the birds in nets, wringing their necks and dumping their bodies in bags.

The council said it was the most humane way to get rid of the pests, but launched an investigation to ensure it did not happen in public again.