Grandmother forced to wear a colander when she hangs out her washing because of seagulls that keep attacking her A grandmother has taken to wearing a colander when she goes into her garden to protect herself from dive-bombing seagulls. Dina Wilson, 71, cannot go into the garden in Herne Bay, Kent, without the 'headgear' after being attacked. In once incident they drew blood after pecking at her scalp. Dina Wilson, from Herne Bay, Kent, pictured in her back garden where she has to wear a colander to protect her from seagulls But defiant Mrs Wilson is refusing to admit defeat - and now puts on the aluminium drainer when she hangs out her washing. She said: 'I have to go around my garden with a colander on my head to get the washing off the line. 'We've got grandchildren and while an attack on an adult is bad, it's another thing with a child. It could be quite scary for them. Dina, from Herne Bay, Kent was attacked when a chick fell out of its nest into her garden. She failed to spot it near her washing line and its mother dived at her and pecked her head. Other locals have reported a rise in seagull attacks and councillors are exploring ways of stemming their growing population. In one attack the seagulls drew blood as they swooped down and pecked at Mrs Dina's scalp Last month, owners of a cafe in Teignmouth Devon decided to fight back against seaguls that were dive-bombing scones and stealing ice creams from holidaymakers. Mark Riddick is issuing customers at the Dairy Maid with high powered water pistols to fend off marauding flocks which have regularly overturned tables and smashed plates almost mid-air in pursuit of a quick snack. 'We have got a gig outside seating area where the seagulls are an absolute menace,' he said. Mark Riddick who owns the Dairy Maid cafe in the centre of the seaside town of Teighmouth Devon is fighting back. Super Soakers waterpistols for customers and staff scare off the seagulls which plaque his restaurant Mark Riddick who owns the Dairy Maid cafe in the centre of the seaside town of Teighmouth Devon with staff and Super Soakers waterpistols to fight off the seagulls They are big, powerful birds who attack people and children, especially this time of year when they have young. For them it is preferable to have easy pickings from tables rather than go out to sea and hunt for food. They defecate over people and furniture. They are a real nuisance.