WE are impressed by the effort and imagination council officers have devoted to the problem of George the cockerel.

Not unexpectedly, George tends to sound off early in the morning. This is upsetting some of his neighbours who are under the impression that the countryside is a silent oasis.

But how do you tell a rooster: cock-a-doodle-don't? Environment officers have suggested slipping a sock over George's head, or painting his coop black to fool him into thinking it's still night.

If that doesn't work, the first poultry ASBO may need to be imposed. And that's nothing to crow about.

Updated: 11:33 Wednesday, January 11, 2006