Blackpool Zoo is recruiting human bird scarers to deal with nuisance seagulls

A zoo is looking to hire a team of people in an attempt to scare away nuisance seagulls - by dressing them in bird costumes.

Blackpool Zoo say the birds have been persistently stealing food from visitors and animal enclosures.

The role, which would be housed within the Zoo’s Visitor Services team, will involve someone dressing up in the inflatable costume and keeping seagulls away from the main visitor dining areas.

Khaled Fawzy, Section Area Manager at Blackpool Zoo said: "Seagulls learn very quickly. They understand what time of the day the displays and talks are on. They make a beeline for the talks and as soon as they hear one they know there are people around.

"Where there are people there is usually food. Sandwiches, snacks, crisps. Crisps are a big one and ice cream. They love a 99p cone."

The Zoo says the ideal candidate will be "visitor focused, friendly, energetic, flexible and outgoing".

The job advert states that candidates will also need to be prepared to wear the bird costume and the role will be offered with variable seasonal hours.

Ian Walker, Operations and Visitor Services Manager said: "We have tried kites with birds of prey on them but they only work in the wind. We have had plastic owls to try and scare the seagulls.

"They are very intelligent and they work things out for themselves that nothing is going to happen to them. They then carry on as normal."

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To know...