A SYMBOLIC key to the city has been presented to Dunfermline's most iconic residents.

After discovering that the previously widely believed 'fact' that the Pittencrieff Park peacocks held freedom of the city was false, West Fife MP Douglas Chapman has gifted the birds their very own key.

He joked that he "had to give them something" until they officially received the status.

The SNP politician added: "Dunfermline is famous for its peacocks, and it’s always a joy to see them strutting around The Glen and the city centre.

"For many of our citizens, young and old, they are regarded as VIPs – Very Important Peacocks – and we love them dearly."

The Press reported last month that there had been a call to make it official and grant the birds the freedom of Dunfermline, which many believed they had held since 1907, after Fife Council and local historians failed to find any evidence of the status.

"I was surprised – like everyone else was – when I learned they don’t actually have formal freedom of the city," Mr Chapman continued.

"Unfortunately, that’s not in my gift to give, but I figured I could at least give them a symbolic key to the city until we can get them their official status.

"I’ve sent a request to Fife Council that our Very Important Peacocks are formally recognised as having freedom of the City of Dunfermline.

"And following the recent traumatic events for the birds – which led to a generous and sincere public response - the key is also an attempt to offer some recognition for the dedicated volunteers who look after and care for Dunfermline’s best-known VIPs."

And he hasn't been the only one to visit the aviary in the past week, as Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville also made a trip to the Glen.

She has backed calls for the peacocks to be awarded freedom of the city to recognise their importance, saying: "It shows you how much people care for these birds and appreciate the work being done by the brilliant team of volunteers who look after them every day.

"Granting the peacocks the freedom of the city would merely formalise something that most people already believed to be true.

"Their presence in Dunfermline is special and something which should be celebrated."

Fundraising for the birds has been widespread in the wake of a horrific attack, which saw one, Louis, injured and another, Malcolm, killed, at the end of May.

More than £16,000 was raised online for repairs and improvements tot he sanctuary, while last week saw another £2000 raised during an event at the Rumblingwell pub.