Cock-a-Doodle done for.

Fear not. We can all rest in our beds knowing that our intrepid council officials have the power to follow the example of Waverney District Council in Suffolk, who sent out a marksman in the dead of night, armed with a shotgun, to carry out their instructions. These brave man set aside any care for his own safety as he crept up on his 'target' - sleeping cockerels which had dared to crow within the council official's jurisdiction. He duly executed them. Surely that must qualify for some sort of commendation.

Mind you, this decisive action has probably cost the taxpayer a few thousand. For months council officials have been climbing trees in darkness, wielding nets and dog loop leads (whatever they are) to catch these Kellogg-eating villains for re-housing. I suppose they could be classed as 'illegal immigrants'. Anyway, despite their best efforts, three remained free in nature. Nothing else for it. They had them shot. Mr Andrew Reynolds, the Council's principle environmental officer said that the cockerels had been abandoned illegally and complaints "had left us with little option but to intervene for the benefit of the health of the community". Isn't it wonderfully reassuring that our local government is in such safe hands.

I live in the countryside. When we moved to Cil Farm, my good friend and neighbour, Stuart owned a cockerel which though he was Pavarotti. Sometimes I threatened to shoot that, but never would have done. Like manure smells, and cattle bawling, its what happens in the countryside. We live with it. If you don't like it, go live in a town and enjoy the traffic and street lights. So happens, two constituent came into my office yesterday, seeking advice after receiving a 'Noise Abatement Order' from Powys County Council demanding that their cockerels be silenced within 21 days. They love their cockerels and have given them pet names. There will now be appeals to the magistrates courts and law suits issued - all at great expense. Solicitors are already involved. I read a letter from a Powys planning officer to another constituent yesterday which stated that the legal costs of dealing with a minor planning issue would result in a bill of at least £500 to the applicant. Sometimes I think that the world has gone completely 'bonkers'. I hope Powys CC's officers don't decide to follow the example of Waverney.