Heavens above! Vicar forced to wear a hard hat to protect himself from dive-bombing seagulls

It is not traditional garb for a man of the cloth.

But Rev Canon Graham Minors has been forced to don a bright yellow hard hat to protect him from two new additions to his flock.

The vicar has to rush through his churchyard in order to avoid the attentions of a pair of angry seagulls diving down from the heavens.

The fearsome birds perch on the church roof and swoop down on unsuspecting members of the congregation and even mourners in the graveyard.

They began their aerial onslaughts after setting up a nest and raising a chick in the grounds of St Petroc's Church, in Bodmin, Cornwall.

The over-protective animals now regularly stand guard of their fledgling by perching on top of two ancient stone crosses on the roof of the 15th Century church.

They then fly and flap their wings at anyone who approaches - swooping just above their heads to scare them away.

Rev Minors, 63, says the attacks have become so fierce he has been forced to don a hard hat every time he enters or leaves the church.

He said: 'When they spot someone coming up the path they begin to squawk very loudly and if you don't stop they dive-bomb.

'It is very scary because they're really quite large and powerful birds that could deliver a nasty peck if they got the chance.

'It isn't an ideal situation because some of the congregation are very elderly and don't appreciate being attacked.

'The nest is in the churchyard and if anyone who goes in to visit a grave they go even more berserk.

Beak careful: Rev Graham Minor ducks to avoid the dive-bombing seagull

Close call: The long-suffering vicar is repeatedly attacked by two angry seagulls living in his churchyard

'I had to start wearing a hard hat because I'm coming and going all the time in the course of my duties. The seagulls are quite alarming when they swoop in.'

He continued: 'On the upside, at least the gulls are being good parents and trying to protect their young. You can't begrudge them that.

'We're hoping that once the fledgling leaves they'll calm down a bit and leave. Until then I'm content to look like Bob the Builder with a dog collar on.'

The aggressive attacks began two weeks ago after the fledgling was hatched in a nest behind some old gravestones leaning against a wall in the churchyard.

Some churchgoers now place bowls of tuna fish at the side of the graveyard in a bid to tempt the seagulls away so they can dash into the church unharmed.

St Petroc's is the largest parish church in Cornwall and as well as its congregation it is a popular spot for tourists - who have also come under attack.

Visitor Peter Glaser said: 'They really are frightening. As soon as I turned the corner of the churchyard one of them flew towards me and I had to duck.

Bird of pray: One of the seagull prepares to attack at St Petroc's Church in Bodmin, Cornwall

'I was terrified and stood with my back against the wall. I was worried that if I went too close they would come and peck me.'

Rev Minors also believes the birds may be confused - because according to the Bible it is another species which has God on its side.

He said: 'The Bible says that 'a swallow may find a nest for herself, where she may have her young near your altars'.

'Well these seagulls couldn't find a place in the house of God so they chose the next best thing - the graveyard.'

Seagulls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, making it an offence to kill the birds or interfere with their nests.

According to the RSPB, the bird's population has dropped 40 per cent in the past 30 years due to over fishing and other factors.