Tuna sandwiches on sale at a cafe have started to come with a stark warning - look out for diving seagulls.

The cheeky birds have become such a nuisance in Queen's Park, Brighton, that picnickers have declared war.

The gulls like to target people eating their favourite fishy sandwiches but will swoop down to snatch any food from people's hands.

The problem has become so bad that kiosk owner Mary Allen has started to warn her customers about the dive-bombing birds.

Jane Launchbury, who lives nearby, was "mugged" by a gull during a recent lunch break.

She said: "The gull drew blood from my hand with its beak when it attacked to steal my sandwich.

"The problem is far worse this year as the birds seem to be learning and gaining confidence.

"They seem to have a preference for tuna but will have a go at anything. Even a child waving a cheese sandwich is not safe."

Ms Launchbury suggested fitting plastic spikes on the cafe roof to stop the birds perching.

But not everyone wanted to see the back of the seagulls.

Animal rights campaigner Rena Collins, 75, of Kemp Town, said: "It is man's fault. We have fished the sea to death. There aren't enough fish left and that is why the gulls bother people.

"I would ask people to open up their hearts and feed them."

A spokeswoman for the city council said it was investigating ways to stop birds landing on the roof of the cafe.

Linda Harrison