A persistent pigeon feeder who tormented neighbours by attracting scores of feral birds to her home has been handed an Asbo banning her from feeding the flock.

Christine Foreman, 55, ignored repeated attempts by the council to stop her feeding the birds, which frequently covered the entire roof of her home in Wickham Road, near Addiscombe.

The temporary Asbo, which was imposed at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on June 1, is designed to give her neighbours some relief from the flock ahead of a full hearing on August 27.

Neighbours first complained of Mrs Foreman’s behaviour in 2007 after swarms of pigeons prevented them using their gardens.

She signed an ‘acceptable behaviour agreement’ in June 2009 promising to stop feeding the birds, but admitted during the court hearing she had continued to put out seed for the wild pigeons every day.

The order means Mrs Foreman will be committing a criminal offence if she continues to attract wild birds to the neighbourhood.

Coun Steve O’ Connell, cabinet member for public safety at Croydon Council, said: “Feeding the birds might seem like a harmless pastime, but when it persistently attracts large flocks that cause a nuisance to local residents, it becomes antisocial.

“Mrs Foreman’s activities are preventing other people in her neighbourhood from enjoying their gardens, which is unfair and that is why we are taking action on their behalf.

“Despite their and our repeated attempts to persuade her to change her ways, unfortunately she has left us no option but to seek a court order against her.

“We hope this interim order stops her from feeding the birds, ahead of the full hearing later this year, and I do hope our feathered friends find sufficient sustenance elsewhere.”