A family has been told to rehome the beloved cockerel they are keeping at their council property just two months after permission was first granted.

The Allen family in Craven Road, Brighton, received a letter from Brighton and Hove City Council explaining that their permission to keep their cockerel, Trousers, in their garden has been revoked.

The letter, seen by The Argus, reads: “You are aware that we wrote to you on May 11, 2023, with permission to keep a cockerel with conditions in place.

“Unfortunately, due to noise complaints received, we can no longer allow this and withdraw the permission to keep a cockerel.

“Therefore, the cockerel must be rehomed within two weeks from the date of this letter.

“We apologise for any upset or inconvenience this may cause.”

It comes after complaints from their neighbour William Ranieri, who said the cockerel crows throughout the day.

The 48-year-old complained to the council, citing “constant noise” which was causing “irrational responses” including “shaking, stomach cramps and anger”.

Matt and Adele Allen claim said the council revoked the permission to keep the bird due to Mr Ranieri’s recent social media campaign, which they say has “gained very little public support”.

“We have had no complaints by anyone else and feel this revoking is unjust and unacceptable,” said 39-year-old Mrs Allen.

The Argus: Ostara Allen cares for her cockerel TrousersOstara Allen cares for her cockerel Trousers (Image: Matt Allen)

The family worries for their eight-year-old daughter Ostara, who has bonded with the three-year-old cockerel.

Mrs Allen has also set up a petition, which at the time of writing has more than 140 signatures, to campaign against the council’s withdrawal of permission.

Writing on the petition, Mrs Allen said: “Trousers has been living with his family and flock in a residential area of Brighton for three years now with no issues until we moved house last September.

"Every night he is taken to sleep inside the kitchen in a pet carrier by his eight-year-old best friend, Ostara.”

Ostara takes the cockerel out again at 8am each day, which “avoids anti-social hours”, said 40-year-old Mr Allen.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “We can withdraw permission for a council tenant to keep a pet when appropriate.

“We cannot comment on individual cases.”