The future for the doves whose dovecote was blocked up at The Captain’s Wife pub in Sully

It sparked a furious row between bird lovers and the owners of a village pub in Sully .

The decision to block up a historic dovecote on grounds of The Captain's Wife pub late last month had intended to stop its outdoor dining area being blighted by bird droppings, but left animals lovers distraught.

Hundreds went online to attack its owners Vintage Inns, claiming their actions had left the doves - a protected species - to the mercy of the freezing cold conditions and unable to tend to their chicks still trapped inside the structure.

While the firm made a quick u-turn on the decision and reopened the roost, a question mark still remained over whether the doves would be able to remain at the seafront site in the long term due to hygiene requirements.

Now the people behind Caerphilly Bird Rescue , who were among the first to turn up at the premises when news about the doves' plight first broke last Tuesday evening (November 26), say they hope to rehome the birds in the New Year.

The following morning, the birds were still trying to get inside the dovecote - a focal point outside the pub for more than 100 years (Viv Pritchard)

Posting out their Facebook page, Carol and Ray Gravenor - whose sanctuary relies on community donations - say that they plan, following a move to a new, larger location in early 2020, to add the creatures to the ever growing number of winged wildlife in their care.

"We have been to a meeting with management at The Captain's Wife, the purpose of which was to discuss the incident involving the doves and to find a mutually acceptable solution," added Carol yesterday.

"They have made it clear that due to health and safety issues they need to have the doves removed from the premises.

"They are happy to work with us and have agreed to us re-homing them.

"In my opinion, to leave them where they are clearly unwanted, would be a grave mistake on our part," she said.

Most of the birds were left to perch on nearby rooftops with nowhere to go (Viv Pritchard)

"Everyone is sad to see them go but our priority is their wellbeing and they face an uncertain future if left where they are.

"Believe we have achieved the best possible outcome in the circumstances...at least we know the doves will be safe and well cared for in a good home."          

A spokesman for The Captain’s Wife said: “We’re pleased to be working with Caerphilly Bird Rescue to help with the rehoming of the birds, which we have both agreed is the best possible outcome.

"We will continue to work closely with Caerphilly Bird Rescue throughout the rehoming process, with progress to begin early in the new year once a suitable plan has been agreed."