Today, some countries still maintain pigeon lofts. Britain's Queen Elizabeth keeps 160 mature pigeons and 80 young birds in her Royal loft, according to the official website of the British Monarchy.

A pigeon fancier fears he could be forced to destroy some of his racing birds after planners objected to the location of their home. Roy Davies, 73, has been refused retrospective planning permission ...

For the uninitiated the world of the pigeon fancier conjures up an image of an old man in a flat cap, with the sport of racing the birds perhaps considered a pursuit for those of a certain vintage.