NEARLY £1,000 of taxpayers’ money was used to controversially cut down trees being roosted in by starlings.

The decision to fell the trees at Winchester Fire Station was made following complaints of the birds defecating on emergency vehicles and fear over the “health and safety” of staff.

The move left residents and campaigners furious as the trees in Easton Lane, Winnall, were being roosted in by a large starling murmuration.

Spectators would often travel for miles to see the spectacular aerial display.

Now it has been revealed that the felling of the trees cost Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service £950.

However, the fire service defended the move, saying the trees were due to be chopped down later this year anyway.

The spokesman said: “The trees were programmed to be removed later in the year and therefore the budget to do so was already earmarked. It should be noted that the clean-up costs for the bird droppings far exceed the tree removal costs.”

“The leylandi were due to be felled later in the year as they had grown ‘top heavy’ and there was concern raised around potential damage to tarmac surfaces and nearby wall structures from their roots.”

The spokesman added: “A number of options were considered including a fake owl scarecrow, ultrasonic bird repellent devices and installing hanging discs which make a noise in the wind to try and move the birds.” We did also look into car covers, however the Constabulary Transport department advised these were not suitable for the vehicles.

“There was also a risk to operational effectiveness if responding teams needed to remove car covers to access vehicles. This options would also not remove the health and safety concerns identified.”

The other cost of the other options was not evaluated as the funds for the felling had already been budgeted.

Defending the decision at the time, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s facilities manager Matt Robertson said: “The trees to the rear of Winchester Fire Station have been removed due to the impact they were having on operational vehicles and the health and safety of staff.”