A British auto dealership that used to have problems with seagulls peppering the car lot with their droppings said the birds are back.

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Mark Hollands, principal dealer Vines of Guildford in Guildford, England, said the BMW dealership's problem with seagull droppings had been resolved early this year when SITA Surrey, a garbage company in charge of a waste transfer station just behind the dealership, agreed to ensure food waste there was covered.

However, Hollands told the Surrey Advertiser the seagulls returned about three weeks ago when SITA Surrey once again started dumping food waste without covering it.

"We have to warn our customers to use umbrellas when they are out on the forecourt," Hollands said. "If you don't run to the showroom from your car, you will look like a Dalmatian."

Gareth Swain, regional manager at SITA Surrey, said officials are aware of the problem and are instituting control measures, including flying a pair of hawk kites to scare off the birds.