People across the UK are taking part in what's being calling "gull running".

The seaside craze started in Whitby but has spread to places like Brighton, Newquay and Blackpool.

It involves people holding food above their heads and then trying to run between two points without having their food taken by a seagull.

"It's great fun. We choose two points, grab some food and run as fast as we can," said one of the people taking part in Whitby.

"The idea is to get to the end without a bird nabbing the chips. The winner is whoever can run the furthest without the seagull getting anything."

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Another said: "The seagulls are a pain around here and they'll try and nick your food anyway so we might as well have some fun while they're doing it. The tourists think it's hilarious."

Seagulls have been hitting the headlines on a regular basis this year.

Earlier this month a dog was killed in Cornwall by a seagull and a tortoise also died after being flipped over and pecked to death - again in Cornwall.

A woman was left with injuries to her head after gulls attacked her near a school in Helston.

A gull was caught on camera stealing a Cornish pasty from a woman's hand in St Ives.

There have also been a host of other incidents this year.

There was even a debate for and against seagulls on the Victoria Derbyshire show on BBC News.

The RSPB has asked Defra, Natural England and to Marine Management Organisation to take part in a national "gull summit" and on a visit to the south-west David Cameron said he wanted the country to engage in a "big conversation" about seagulls.

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