Stamford’s Chamber of Trade wants to encourage the birds to the town to promote tourism and control the pigeon population.

Two nest boxes could be put up in the town as chamber of trade members are talking to All Saints’ Church and St Mary’s. All Saints is unlikely to approve a bird box until a new vicar is appointed in January after the retirement of Canon Neil Russell.

The chamber has also been joined by Martin Aspinall, a senior warden at Rutland Water, who helped attract Peregrines to Lincoln Cathedral.

Chamber president Tim Lee is delighted to have Mr Aspinall, who has offered to build the nest boxes for free, on board.

Mr Lee says the chamber is continuing its Art on Fridays event, where artists display their work in Red Lion Square, indefinitely.

The popular event was not expected to carry on after the summer but Mr Lee says the artists have asked for it to continue.

He also says that the chamber is looking to buy more display boards and is hoping to attract craftspeople to give demonstrations.

Any artists wishing to exhibit should call Sandra Pryor on 07932 490492 or e-mail secretary@ stamfordchamber.co.uk

l Spikes and netting could be installed in a Stamford alleyway as part of a bid to tackle pigeons.

Members of the public have raised concerns about the state of Poacher’s Passage, between Broad Street and North Street.

Mary Patrick, 70, of Essex Road, said: “There’s always muck all over the floor but if there was a net there the birds wouldn’t be able to get in.”

The issue has been regularly raised at Stamford Town Council meetings and on Tuesday last week the town clerk said efforts were being made to address the problem.

Patricia Stuart-Mogg said the council was looking to obtain quotes for netting and spikes, as well as the co-operation of businesses close to the alleyway.