Roaming peacocks who have brought joy to a locked down town have sparked safety concerns from one resident.

The famous four, regularly seen around their home village of Sholden and beyond, have earned the adoration of locals and a Facebook page has even been started to keep track of their exploits.

But the worried villager is calling for the birds - named Blanche, Gulliver, Prince and Victor - to be confiscated from their owner unless he gets "the right accommodation" to keep them safe.

He asked for KentOnline to protect his anonymity and said: "Your articles suggesting these birds bring happiness to those living in Sholden are completely correct, however, many others, me included, are worried about them."

Yesterday, at 10am, he was so concerned he called the police. He said: "I have just reported to Kent Police seeing them bringing all of the traffic on London Road, Sholden, to a halt as they crossed it.

"I am very concerned for their welfare and for the safety of road users, many of whom are driving too fast along this main road."

The ballsy birds had already been bringing delight to villagers for some months but when lockdown led to fewer cars on the roads, they stretched their wings and wandered brazenly into the mechanics' workshop and office at Campbell's Garage in Southwall Road.

Since then they were pictured flouting lockdown rules even more by mooching around the north end of town at the junction of High Street and Duke Street, Deal.

Then they gave police the run around by blocking the road at busy Middle Deal Road.

The Facebook page has been launched in their honour and boasts stunning pictures of them on garden walls, in streets and at a cricket ground.

It helps owner Paul Louis keep track of their location and has created a log of their lives out of lockdown.

That page has now revealed that four have now become six, where two peahens have been purchased to help calm the cocks down.

But despite this the concerned villager wants to air his fears and prompt a discussion to see who agrees with him.

He added: "If this were a flock of sheep they would have been rounded up.

"People are feeding them out of kindness...anything from dry cornflakes to cat food, but for me, the owner has abdicated responsibility for them, other than the suggestion he is buying a female to 'calm them down'.

"The owner won't clip their wings as this will prevent them from roosting in trees away from foxes at night...but the point is the owner should be controlling them, clipping their wings and then ensuring he has the right secure accommodation to keep them safe.

"My view is these fantastic birds should be confiscated and looked after at a sanctuary."

The owner has been contacted for a comment but last November he told KentOnline that they usually return every night.

He said: "I decided not to clip their wings as this limits their ability to escape to trees, mainly from foxes.

"They are very tame and non aggressive."

However, he added that over the last few months they have been increasingly absent and adventurous.

He said: "The vast amount of people have no problem with them but of course I understand that there is potential for damage and being a general nuisance. Also there maybe a risk to their health."

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