IT was like a scene from one of Hitchcock's greatest movies. Scores of seagulls swooping on their victim, using their claws and beaks to deadly effect.

Measuring up to 5ft across and attacking at speeds of 40mph, the seagulls ripped their prey to pieces and left crowds of schoolchildren recoiling in horror.

But in a departure from The Birds, Hitchcock's classic, the gulls pecked to death an extremely rare (pounds) 2000 Barbary falcon during a display at a school fete.

The falcon, called Spirit, was entertaining children in Inverkeithing, Fife, just minutes before she was set upon by more than 100 birds, including lesser black-backed gulls. Experts believe the gulls even ate a radio transmitter, used to track Spirit's movements, during the frenzied attack at Inverkeithing High School summer fete. Spirit's body, covered in bruises, was later found by a passer-by on the beach in nearby Kinghorn. It is believed the gulls forced her into the water by dive-bombing her.

Janet Cupar, a manager at the Elite Falconry centre, which owned Spirit, said: ''We usually check for gulls and crows before we release a bird of prey into the skies, but you could just see them flocking towards her from every direction within minutes of letting her loose.

''There were more than 100 gulls and quite a few crows just mobbing and pecking at her. She really didn't have a chance of getting away because they just kept attacking her in mid-air.

''She flew off but I think they followed her. It is absolutely terrible to think that this happened in front of us and lots of other people. It's quite high up in the air but it would have been quite obvious what was happening.

''There is a terrible problem every time we send a bird out because all the seagulls in the area tend to flock towards it. But I've been involved with falconry for eight years and I've never seen anything like it.''

Ms Cupar said there was a good case for some form of cull, but RSPB Scotland said prevalence of seagulls was a man-made problem.

Adam Harper, of RSPB Scotland, said: ''It is not the case that there are any more gulls than there ever were, it is just that they tend not to live out at sea any more and go where the food is, which is in towns.

''It is a terrible tragedy that the falcon was killed. It is just at the time of year when the gulls will have young in their nests and be getting very territorial and protective.''

He said a cull was not the answer.

''We have made it easier for them to nest inland because of all the flat roofs and litter for them to feed on,'' he added.

''It would be easier for us to make it less attractive for them to live in towns by tidying up the streets.''

The country's breeding urban gull population has grown from just 76 pairs to 9500 pairs over the past 25 years, and that total is believed to be rising at a rate of 13% a year. Britain's largest colony, with 3350 pairs, is causing serious problems in Aberdeen.

The Scottish Executive will spend (pounds) 10,000 on research to help local authorities who are struggling to cope with damage and mess caused by the birds, which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Lesley Johnston, depute rector of Inverkeithing High School, said: ''There were seagulls in the area but we are by the sea and it is to be expected.

''They were flocking and the falcon suddenly started flying off like it was frightened.''

An SSPCA spokeswoman added: ''It is terrible to hear what has happened to this falcon but the seagulls were not behaving unnaturally in any way.''