Couple say life has been hell since pigeons moved in beneath solar panels on their roof

A couple said they have endured 12 months of sleepless nights and deteriorating health due to dozens of noisy pigeons setting up home beneath solar panels on their roof.

Stephen Fishenden and wife Linda, 65, of Chingford, east London, say they have lived through “hell” since the birds began to seek shelter beneath the energy-saving panels, which were fitted by a contractor working for council homes manager Ascham Homes.

Mr Fishenden first complained to Ascham Homes in March last year about the “horrendous” noise keeping them awake at night and his wife’s deteriorating health. The 65 year-old said: "I specifically asked at the time if we would have any problems with birds and was reassured they would not be a problem. It has been hell and has made my wife ill. She’s asthmatic and is having to use her pump more regularly.

"We are both constantly awake and have had hundreds of sleepless nights. It is particularly horrendous in the morning." Following further complaints, the couple said a contractor visited the property in late November and told them he would provide a quote for the scaffold tower, but never returned. A spokeswoman for Ascham Homes has apologized for the delay and blamed the weather.