A firefighter and animal cruelty charity have criticised the use of rooftop seagull netting after the death of two birds this week.

Fire crews in Worthing were called to Edgehill Close on Monday after reports of a seagull entangled in netting on the roof of a house.

The seagull was reported to have been trapped in the netting for a number of days and unfortunately died before a rescue operation could start.

On Tuesday, Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire and Rescue were called to a similar incident in Avis Way, Newhaven, after another gull became trapped.

Despite the best efforts of firefighters, the seagull also died.

Andy Gilbert, one of the firemen who attended the scene in Worthing on Monday, described the use of netting as ‘torture’. He said: “It is torture for the bird. It would have been killed slowly. This one was a yearling, which had returned to the nest.

“I would like to show those who put up the netting what they have done. If you don’t like gulls nesting, don’t live by the sea.

“We invaded their space, not the other way.”

Bird netting is sold by pest control companies across the country and is described by one Brighton firm as ‘one of the safest and most effective methods for bird control.’ Homeowners and businesses can purchase netting for as little as £1.36 a square metre.

One website sells a ‘seagull net kit’ with tools, netting and wire for £24.69.

But a spokeswoman from the RSPCA said the charity didn’t support the use of netting and seaside residents ‘should expect seagulls.’ She said: “We don’t particularly support netting. There are other and more humane methods to deter gulls from nesting on rooftops and there are plenty of companies around that offer such services.”