Officials of the Scottish Parliament have drawn up emergency plans to move a pigeon chick from its home on top of the building in Edinburgh to a wildlife sanctuary 100 miles away.
The removal of the chick and its nest, which has been prompted by health and safety fears, would cost approximately £250.
The nest was discovered this week above the public entrance to the £430 million building despite the installation of anti-bird spikes over the summer.
Under the plan, the chick would be moved to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust, near Beith, Ayrshire.
The cost of moving the bird includes the removal of the nest, the transporting of the chick to its new home and specialist cleaning of the roof of the building.
Some members of the Scottish Parliament reacted angrily to the proposed use of taxpayers' money. Bill Aitken, the Scottish Conservative chief whip, said: "I would have thought that it was not difficult to find a more cost-effective solution."
Margo McDonald, an independent MSP who has been a vocal critic of the parliament building, which opened three years late and 10 times over budget, said: "For £250 a bird, I will wring their necks myself."
30/09/06 @ 04:46