THEY have been in residence for more than 30 years, but the time has come for the Belstead Brook's most colourful guests to finally check out.It seems the peacocks, which have graced the grounds of the Ipswich hotel, have outstayed their welcome.

THEY have been in residence for more than 30 years, but the time has come for the Belstead Brook's most colourful guests to finally check out.

It seems the peacocks, which have graced the grounds of the Ipswich hotel, have outstayed their welcome.

After a number of complaints to Ipswich Borough Council's environmental health department about the noise the beautiful and majestic birds make, their bags have been packed and they are being moved on their way.

But the birds should be more than happy in their new home, as they are set to join a breeding colony in Norfolk.

James Jude, general manager at the Belstead Brook, said: "The borough council has received several complaints of noise.

"The peacocks have been here for 35 years and yes we'll miss them, but to be honest we have quite a few hassles with them each year and they're not conducive to getting a good night's sleep. In hindsight, it's a good idea."

The news that the hotel's peacocks are on the move should come as good news to some residents living nearby, who been part of the long tale for the birds to be removed.

The birds regularly roamed all over their gardens and ruffled the feathers of hotel neighbours, including Eileen and Stanley Ray live in Badgers Bank, overlooking the back of the hotel.

Mrs Ray said: "We've lived here for thirty years and we've put up with them roaming around are garden. In 1975 we actually took the hotel to court and they were fined £5 for letting them wander over our garden. That was after new laws came in about noise.

"It's not only the noise, which is excruciating, but also they leave droppings all over the road and even eat the flowers."

Mr Ray said: "Years ago the hotel was all about peacocks. Even the doors to the toilets said peacock and pee-hen instead of men and women.

"We've heard the birds at all hours making that awful squawking noise. I've heard them at 4.30am.

"It's a frightening noise and even after all these years it makes us jump when we hear it."

However, not everyone is as happy to say goodbye to the colourful birds, which had become as much a permanent feature of the hotel as the facilities it offers.

Jane Broxton, who regularly uses the facilities at the hotel said she was horrified when she found out that a petition had been organised to get rid of the birds.

She said: "These colourful exotic birds are part of the history of the building. It disgusts me that as our boundaries encroach on the countryside humans cannot live with wildlife.

"These birds have been here for as long as I can remember and these residents should have learnt to live with them. Before any resident asks if I would like them in my garden…yes I would."

Despite claims that a petition had been handed in to Ipswich Borough Council calling for the removal of the peacocks, a spokeswoman for the council said one had not been received.

She added: "We have had one complaint which we understood had been formally resolved by the hotel."

Weblink: www.belsteadbrook.co.uk