A west London council has come up with a unique scheme to help its residents tackle the growing problem of pigeon poo accumulating in one of its streets.

Maverick the Hawk has been employed by Hammersmith & Fulham Council to chase away pigeons after more than 75 residents in Perham Road signed a petition complaining of the vast numbers dumping their way across the street.

The site, now a 'strategic grot-spot' on the council's hit list, is believed to be the first area to benefit from the hawk-style enforcement pilot.

Councillor Caroline Ffiske claimed residents should not have to deal with this sort of nuisance outside their home or on the commute to work.

"This is why we hired the hawks, in a pilot exercise, to frighten them off," she said.

The good news for residents is that the council's latest figures indicate that the hawks are scaring off the feathered fiends during visits.

A council spokesman said the road would continue to receive regular on-going fly-bys until the pigeons were down to "more acceptable levels" or the trial evaluated.