A councillor who helped campaign for a new home for a group of peacocks has said a decision to move them was a “victory”.

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour councillor for Milton ward was among campaigners who pushed for peacocks in Chalkwell Park to be given a new and more suitable enclosure.

Mr Ware-Lane put forward a motion for the birds to be moved after more than 50 years in the park enclosure.

The motion proved successful when Ann Holland, councillor responsible for culture, tourism and the economy, announced they were to be rehomed on a 24-acre private estate.

Mr Ware-Lane said: “I am delighted and quite surprised by the announcement. I’m particularly pleased for the peacocks. It was in response to a motion I put forward and to pressure from myself and animal welfare campaigners.

“I’m glad the administration announced this. I didn’t think they were going to accept the motion but they had a change of heart.”

Mr Ware-Lane added: “I’m delighted but in many ways it will be sad not to have the menagerie at Chalkwell but times have moved on and animal rights are important.

“All credit to the administration for doing this.”

Mrs Holland said she had regularly received correspondence from residents concerned about the size of the peacock’s enclosure.

Making her announcement, she said: “I have listened to local people’s feelings and accepted an offer for them to go to a private home where they will join other peafowl.”

The peafowl were brought to Chalkwell Park as part of a petting zoo for residents to visit.

The zoo once included monkeys, goats and eventually even a bear.

Before the decision was taken, Mrs Holland said that she sort advice from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) on where best to rehome the birds.

Mrs Holland added: “While many people will be sad to see the peacocks go, we can all take comfort that they are moving to a bigger home where they will have plenty of room to spread their wings and roam freely.”