Neighbours say they are having to endure the smell of rotting pigeons permeating through a block of flats following the death last year of an animal lover known as ‘Birdman’.

Caring David Turner, 71, was well-known at Frances Court in Herne Bay for feeding and nurturing the birds, including his beloved pet seagull called Bruce, in his second-floor apartment.

However his actions won him few friends in the High Street building. Following complaints about pigeon feeding in 2012 and 2013, Canterbury City Council contacted the managing agents for the block to recommend they pigeon-proof the property.

It is thought several pigeons and Bruce were in the flat at the time of his sudden death in October and have since starved.

According to one of the neighbours, Mark Simon, decaying corpses and excrement can be found throughout the flat.

“I’ve never smelled anything like it,” he said.

“All the bird droppings have made his carpet look like shag pile.

“The last time I looked inside, I would have guessed there were more than 60 dead birds.

“One of the residents opposite the flat continually sprays the hallway to mask the smell, while another one has put up thick curtains by her door to stop it wafting into her flat. Sometimes I’m gagging on the smell as I get to my door.”

Ryan Walker, who moved into Frances Court in February, fears the smell will become even more pungent during the summer.

“I have to walk past there to get to my flat and the smell makes me feel nauseous,” said the 38-year-old.

“Others in the block feel sick walking past – it’s terrible.”

When Mr Simon, who is also the director of the building, realised he had not seen Mr Turner, who was suffering from cancer, for several days, he slid a message under his door asking him to let him know how he was.

After he failed to respond, Mr Simon decided to call 999.

When entry was gained to the flat on October 24, his body was discovered.

"I've never smelled anything like it... all the bird droppings have made his carpet look like shag pile" - Mark Simon

The door to the flat was boarded up and, according to Mr Simon, 58, a contractor was sent into it last month to close its windows.

“The guy said ‘I couldn’t believe it, the window sills are stacked up with dead pigeons and they’re far from decomposed’,” he said.

Environmental officers from the city council will enter the flat on April 11 to assess its condition and provide it with the grounds to serve a formal notice for the property to be cleaned.

Council spokesman Leo Whitlock confirmed the flat is due to be inspected and once that is done it will decide on the “most appropriate course of action”.

“I didn’t think he lived like this,” Mr Simon added.

“We knew it was bad because everyone had seen pigeons going in and out of the flat – he was known for it.”

Mr Turner is believed to have died of interstitial lung fibrosis, but the exact date of his death is as yet unknown. He was a retired publican who ran a number of pubs in the West End. He had lived in Frances Court for 28 years.