RESIDENTS of a Maryport estate are divided over the future of 30 feral peacocks that are a joy to some but a menace to others.

The original peacocks came from the Ellenbank Hotel in Maryport when it was closed but nobody now claims ownership.

While the birds were initially welcomed to the Ellenborough estate, their antisocial behaviour has divided the community into those who want to keep them and those who want rid of them now.

Animal rescue woman Mel James of Ani-Mel Haven was approached by Cumberland council for advice and immediately started trying to find new homes for the birds.

She said the response was overwhelming: “I have had replies from Derbyshire to Lockerbie, including from a hotel who wants the peacocks on their grounds.”

But the attempt to remove the peacocks has led one resident, Dawn Charlton, to start a petition.

She said: “Someone in Maryport has made the decision on behalf of everyone to rehome the peacocks despite them being wild animals.

"This is their home and they have known nothing else.

"They bring a lot of joy and pleasure to our older community who look forward to their daily visits as some of them are housebound. “

By Tuesday, 198 people had signed the petition with the number still growing.

READ MORE: Peacocks claim freedom of a West Cumbria town

An anonymous post, however, spoke of the problems caused by the birds: “The time has come to sort the peacock problem out," it said.

"Genuinely it is reducing me to misery. They have kept me up all night honking (and have done for several nights recently!) I can't let my dog out without first checking the area in case they are in my garden (which they often are!).

"They have scratched my vehicle.”

Mel James said she had police knock on her door this week after they were told that she was illegally trying to have the peacocks moved during their breeding season.

“We have been in touch with the RSPB and the Peacock Society has said these are feral birds and it is fine to move them.

“They need to be moved for their own safety. I am told of some that appear to have been deliberately killed by cars and one that was poisoned.”

Search and rescue, police and the fire service have all reportedly been asked to help round up the 30 birds.