Over 200 rotting birds have been dumped down a dead-end lane off Sheffield Road – giving off a putrid stench and causing distress to passers-by.

Tracy Smith, of Worksop, stopped off for a Saturday stroll with her husband Simon and their Jack Russell pup Alfie last weekend when they became aware of a very unpleasant smell.

"It was the kind of smell you just wanted to go away," said Tracy.

"It made your stomach turn. The pigeons had obviously been there for a while as they were rotting really badly. It was a totally revolting sight."

Tracy said Alfie went bounding off into the distance and said getting him back was not an easy – or pleasant – task.

"I didn't want him going anywhere near the birds and I was having to cover my nose while trying to chase after him," she said.

"You just don't expect to see that kind of thing when you're out walking."

"I think it's shocking that whoever is responsible for it has allowed it to happen."

Mystery surrounds the discovery – nobody knows who killed the birds, or why they have been dumped there.

However Richard Hezlet, East Midlands regional director for the National Farmers' Union, said that it could be that somebody had disposed of them for a farmer.

"Pigeons prove to be particular pests at this time of year for farmers," he said.

"They go round in big flocks and are generally pests – they can cause vast damage to crops, particularly around harvest time. But we can't condone people doing this, and it's very sad to hear about it."

He said that while pigeons are capable of transmitting diseases, it was unlikely the heap of dead birds would pose a serious problem to anyone walking in the area.

"It's unlikely that they will be harmful, but obviously we advise people to stay away from them," he said. "They need disposing of properly."

However he said whoever killed them missed out on a culinary opportunity.

"Pigeon meat is extremely lean, nutritious and very delicious."

"It's such a shame that these have gone to waste – they would have made a great meal."

Bassetlaw Council thanked the Guardian for alerting them to the situation.

Coun Mike Pugsley said: "We are currently investigating this problem and are looking at it as a matter of urgency."