LOVE them or hate them, seagulls are as much a part of Sussex as our piers, rolling countryside and Regency squares.

On the whole we coexist alongside the gulls just fine. But in areas they have become a problem.

You only have to look back through The Argus archive to find all sorts of stories involving people getting into scrapes with the birds – some humorous, some not.

For example, who can forget the headline “Seagull stole my dentures” or “Revenge of the dive bombing seagulls”.

But we have also reported on nasty injuries and hospital visits caused by the gulls.

In some parts of the county it is clear something needs to be done.

Whether fining those who feed the birds, as Lewes District Council is set to do, is the correct method is up for debate.

But one thing the local authority certainly has right is that the issue is not with the seagulls, it is with us.

The seagulls shouldn’t have to change their behaviour. It is down to us.

The last thing we want is a cull and we must do everything we can to prevent such measures.

After all, the seagull is the unofficial symbol of Brighton and Hove.

It is the nickname of our football team and this month was made a playing piece in the new city Monopoly game.

We can all do our bit to ensure our relationship with the herring gull remains strong.

Just simple things like clearing up rubbish, not openly flouting food on the seafront or leaving bins open. The seagulls are going nowhere. We share this wonderful county with them and the emphasis is on us to change.