A PAIR of frisky peacocks are making life a misery for residents in Fingringhoe.

The two male birds can be heard crowing for a mate and driving homeowners to the point of despair.

Residents in Brookhall Road have unsuccessfully campaigned to have the feathery nuisances caught or killed.

They have written to numerous wildlife associations, Colchester Council’s environmental health team, the parish council and even lobbied MPs for help.

The birds’ shrill calls are most frequent at 6am, or as the sun sets in the evening.

Debbie Bishop, 44, said the problem was no laughing matter, and has appealed for help catching them.

She said: ”It sounds like a funny story, but for us it’s no joke. It’s enough to drive you mad.

“The screech is really loud. We have got a lot of sympathy from people, but no one is helping us.

“They seem to favour my neighbour’s garage or our front lawn.

“Yesterday we opened our curtains and one was on our front lawn staring at us through the window!”

Debbie, who runs her own beads business, said the bird calls regularly disturbed her work.

They also wake up her children, George, 11, and Ellie, eight.

Animal sanctuaries have told her they will take them on, but the notoriously elusive birds have avoided various traps set by neighbours and run off when approached.

Most of the residents agree it is time for the birds to find a new home.

Mrs Bishop said: “It’s not the right environment for the birds, either.

“They just call for a mate that never comes. I need someone to come forward and help us.”