BIRDS are dying a slow death after becoming trapped in netting designed to stop them nesting near the town centre’s Living Wall.

The sight of dead pigeons entangled in netting under the Living Wall shocked Jade Butcher, who said she was disgusted by the sight and saddened by the birds suffering.

She said: “I noticed an excessive amount of bird faeces on the ground. When I looked up, to my horror, I saw netting had been placed under the edge of the bridge, to stop birds from resting there, but there were four dead birds trapped under the mesh.

“Obviously the bird faeces was the result of these poor distressed birds panicking, as they slowly starved to death under the cruel webbing.

“I am appalled to see these birds left to rot in such a very busy public place.

"Yet the corpses are not what distressed me most, as that would be the fact that these helpless birds were caged in to begin with, which is both unethical and inhuman.

"The image of these poor birds has left me feeling distressed.”

The netting is designed to prevent birds nesting on the bridge connecting the Brunel Arcade to the Plaza.

Chrissy Ball, from Oak and Furrows Wildlife Rescue Centre, said the netting posed a serious threat to wildlife.

“It’s not something we see every day but we do see animals with horrific injuries from being entangled in netting,” she said.

“If a bird gets stuck, they can break their necks, starve to death or break a wing or leg trying to free themselves, which is always the end for them.

“I don’t know why these nets are used but they clearly do not work.

“It makes me feel a bit sick to think of animals suffering. We had an owl in once that became tangled in netting and broke its wing. Despite extensive rehabilitation we could not fix him, which was heart-breaking.

“I am absolutely horrified by this. These nets are causing harm or even death to animals who are just trying to survive in any small way they can.”

Chrissy said measures such as soft spikes lining the bridge would be a more wildlife friendly alternative to deter birds from nesting in undesirable spots.

A spokesman for Swindon Borough Council said: “This unfortunate occurrence was noticed by a member of our street cleansing team on Monday and the birds will be removed early on Wednesday to minimise any potential public distress.

“Although the mesh is designed to stop entry by birds, on rare occasions this can happen and in most cases the birds also escape.

"Following this sad instance, our street cleansing team will work with our partners to be extra vigilant so that any issues can be addressed as soon as possible.”