Thugs bunnies digging up park

They have taken over the prestigious park to such an extent that they have even caused part of the pitch and putt course to tilt.

Oswestry Town Council, which runs the award-winning park, and the contractors who look after it are now looking at ways to deal with the rabbit problem.

The park in the town centre attracts thousands of visitors a year and hosts events such as Oswestry Music Live and Operation Homefront. This year its will also stage the mini races in the Hope House Santa Run.

Judges who awarded Oswestry a coveted gold in this year's Britain in Bloom competition - the second year running the top award has gone to the town - highlighted Cae Glas Park as one of the outstanding features.

But the rabbits are threatening to spoil the look of the park. Gail Holloway, community services officer for the council, said the rabbits were constantly eating plants and digging holes in the grass.

"There is a particular problem in the pitch and putt area. At one particular hole the animals have burrowed underneath causing the structure to tilt and be dangerous for those who use it," she said.

Councillor Martin Bennett, of Oswestry Town Council and the Cae Glas Trust, added: "We have got to look at this seriously.

"These are not cuddly Beatrix Potter characters but animals that are causing a real nuisance."

Earlier this year the council had to deal with another pesky problem in the park - pigeons. But they came up with a novel way of dealing with them. Falconers were brought in with their birds to frighten off the pigeons, which were becoming a nuisance. And after just a few visits to Oswestry it appears the birds of prey chased the pigeons out of the park.

Mrs Holloway said: "It seems that the pigeons have moved on and also the children have enjoyed seeing the birds of prey."