'Swooping' gull prompts school gate warning

Pupils at a primary school in Lancashire are being asked to use a different entrance to avoid "a very protective seagull" who is dive-bombing "anyone who goes near its baby".

Flakefleet Primary School in Fleetwood had to close its key stage one and community café entrance due to the bird's nest near the gates.

"Thanks in advance for your understanding - please be vigilant on the way in!" the school posted on Facebook.

The RSPB said gulls - which are protected - are "devoted parents, and will dive-bomb when they feel threatened or in danger".

"Where gulls are nesting on rooftops, there can sometimes be incidents of dive-bombing when the birds are protecting their nest sites and chicks," a spokesman said.

"If you are experiencing dive-bombing, we advise to use an umbrella when entering or leaving a property to deter the parents from getting too close."

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