Seagulls are being forced into our towns by the loss of natural spaces - and we need to learn to live alongside them, say scientists.

Hit by multiple pressures, from avian flu to depleted fish stocks, gull populations are dwindling in the wild.

Driven into urban areas to survive, they are coming into conflict with humans for stealing food.

But rather than seeing them as pests we should respect these "clever birds", said one expert.

"When we see behaviours we think of as mischievous or criminal - almost, we're seeing a really clever bird implementing very intelligent behaviour," said Prof Paul Graham of the University of Sussex. "I think we need to learn how to live with them."