GREEDY gulls are making life a misery for customers using a popular Exeter cafe.

Now the owners are applying for permission to put up a canopy to keep the birds at bay and stop them stealing food from the tables.

The Pit Stop Cafe in Marsh Green Road East serves an ‘excellent’ breakfast according to its fans on TripAdvisor, but its outdoor tables offer tempting treats to passing gulls.

The cafe’s owner has applied to Exeter City Council for permission to build the canopy over the outside decking area.

The application goes on: “The existing outside decking area is an area very appreciated by customers, especially during the spring and summer seasons.

“Recently, the constant presence of seagulls that disturb and even steal the customers’ food has made the area not so pleasant, with the associated effect on the business.

“That is the reason behind the canopy proposal.”

The Pit Stop Cafe is in the heart of the Marsh Barton industrial estate, close to the new Marsh Barton railway station, and is a popular stop-off for travellers.

The application says the grey steel canopy will not be attached to the existing building and will not affect the existing property in any way. No additional building space is needed.