The squawking gulls have been divebombing residents who have been forced to dash to their homes or cars to avoid attacks.

The ferocity of the bird strikes has seen meter readers quake in fear and forced postal deliveries to be cancelled.

"It's like Hitchcock's The Birds," said Marian Walker, of Pool Court, Larkholme.

"I can't take my dogs out. I have to put them in the car to go to the beach."

The seagulls are believed to have gone on the offensive as they are guarding their young.

Two nests have been spotted, behind chimneys of bungalows in Pool Court and Northway, the centre of the area under the reign of terror. Part of adjacent Silverdale Avenue is also affected.

Mrs Walker added: "I heard from a neighbour that the post had been cancelled.

"My husband is waiting for an appointment for a further MRI scan from Manchester Royal Infirmary. How will we know when this letter is ready for collection?

"We still have to leave our homes on occasions and we are being attacked. The seagulls attack our dogs and cats. We have even seen adult men prostrate on the ground because of being attacked by seagulls. "

Mrs Walker is angry Wyre Council can do nothing about the nuisance.
She said: "The birds are protected, the post office are protecting their staff but who is protecting us?"

Husband John Walker said: "Last week, a meter reader came round. They attacked him and he was terrified. When young gulls are on the ground you can't get out of the house."

Silverdale Avenue resident James Bellamy blamed some people who were feeding the gulls.

He said: "I had my four-month-old niece here and the gulls came close to pecking her face. I can't go in the garden for breakfast without putting a canopy up."

Pool Court resident Jackie Salisbury added: "When they come swooping down they are like flying dogs."

A Royal Mail spokeswoman confirmed deliveries had been temporarily suspended, as a postwoman had been attacked.

She said: "We apologise to customers affected. We will resume deliveries as soon as it is safe to do so.

"In the meantime we are asking customers to collect their mail from the delivery office or telephone the office."

Wyre Council said they had written to four people in the Larkholme area asking them not to feed the gulls.

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