Randy peacocks have ruffled feathers after invading a town.
The huge, colourful birds have appeared in gardens, on roofs and in streets.
And opinion is divided as they seem to be rapidly multiplying.
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Some residents say the fowl are fine and should be left alone.
But others feel they should be rounded up and made to fly the nest.
They have been ruling the roost in Great Harwood, near Accrington, Lancs.
It is believed they flew in from nearby Clayton-le-Moors where about 20 peacocks have also been spotted.
Maria Broadhurst was stunned to find them in her garden in Harwood.
“I’ve got to say that I was taken by surprise to find them in my garden,” she told Need To Know.
“It’s not everyday that you find two peacocks strutting their stuff across your lawn.
“I checked with my neighbours, and nobody seemed to know where they could have come from.
“And British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council advised that they were probably just roaming, so there was nothing to be concerned about.
“They are appearing all over the town and they are certainly drawing attention to themselves.
“Apparently, they have been breeding close to an estate in Clayton Le Moors, and have been causing havoc by destroying flowers.
“They were actually really tame and ate some bird seed out of my hand.
“They were absolutely beautiful.
“But my cat wasn’t very keen.
“He ran in meowing and then sat at the conservatory window watching them.
“He possibly thought they were going to eat him, as they were probably four times his size.”
Sarah Mae Francis was shocked when she saw them too.
“I was surprised to see them when coming into work,” she said.
“But they are amazing creatures.”
Another resident who didn’t want to be named said: “They’re clearly breeding.
“Some have spread to Harwood.
“There will be hundreds in a few years at this rate.”
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Peacocks are not native to the UK and are usually kept as free-roaming ornamental birds.
“If they’re seen out and about in other areas they may have escaped or strayed from a private collection as is likely to have happened here.
“In this case, enquiries should be made to potential owners like local estates to check whether they have missing birds.”
An RSPB spokesperson added: “Peacocks are covered by property laws rather than the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and so have different protection to wild birds.
“As a conservation charity, we do not have the facilities to help with pets or welfare of individual animals and so are unable to rescue or relocate birds.
“As they are a domestic species, it is up to the owner to ensure they are properly cared for and to collect them if they have travelled too far away.
“Otherwise, peafowl are able to look after themselves.
“They are very hardy birds and can cope very well with the weather and resources in the UK, even in winter, along with avoiding predation.
“You do not need to care for it, but you can provide food and water if you wish. Please note that if you do, it may hang around the area for a while.
“If you do not want the peafowl to stay, you and your neighbours may wish to remove bird food from the gardens.”
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