DRUNK gulls who reek of alcohol, stagger around and throw-up in the street are causing confusion among animal welfare bosses.

RSPCA say they've had a string of call-outs to pick-up boozy birds, who appear 'disoriented, confused and unable to stand'.

According to staff, the sloshed sea-birds ' absolutely stink of alcohol' when they are collected.

And some have even died as a result of excessive intoxication.

The animal welfare charity is concerned that the birds have been gaining access to waste products from a local brewery or alcohol producer.

RSPCA officers Jo Daniel, Clara Scully and Paul Adams have collected a number of birds exhibiting the same symptoms in recent weeks.

Ms Daniel said: “We have had a number of these come through over the last couple of weeks.

"We think they’re gaining access to some brewing waste products somewhere.

"At first, the birds look like they have botulism (an illness caused by bacteria) but then, after vomiting, most seem to recover.

"The birds absolutely stink of alcohol when we collect them so now our vans smell like pubs."

According to the RSPCA, the calls started in late June and are still coming through this week, with the most recent regarding a bird in Lyme Regis on Sunday evening.

RSPCA vet David Couper has treated a number of the birds as they arrived at the charity’s West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, Somerset.

Mr Couper said: "We’ve had birds coming in from across Devon (including Bridport, Dawlish, Seaton, Colyton, Exmouth, Exeter, Sidmouth, Starcross and Budleigh Salterton) and even a few from Bridport and Lyme Regis, in Dorset.

“Sadly, a few of the birds have died but most of them have made good recoveries and have been released after a few days in our care.

“I’d like to urge any local vets who see birds coming in with similar symptoms not to euthanise them but to give them a chance to recover from the effects of the alcohol.

“The birds appear disoriented and confused and struggle to stand.

"We took some video of one of the birds who is staggering around and losing his balance just like a person would if they’d had too much to drink.”

The animal welfare charity has had more than a dozen similar reports from the south coast and is now urging local breweries, distilleries and alcohol producers to check that their waste is secure and cannot be accessed by wildlife or birds.

Brewery waste can also be used as a compost and feed so narrowing down where it’s coming from is difficult.

Mr Scully said: “These birds were clearly wearing their beer gog-gulls when they scavenged their meal for the day and they’ve really been suffering with hangovers after a gulls’ night out."

Anyone with concerns for the welfare of a bird or animal can contact the RSPCA’s 24-hour helpline on 0300 1234 999 for advice or to request assistance.