NIGHT patrols are being stepped up for animals that may be wounded during the badger cull.

The pilot scheme, that started this week, aims to cull 5,000 badgers in parts of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Somerset over the next six weeks.

Farmers in these areas have permission to shoot as many as 70 badgers a night as part of a wider plan to stop the animals spreading the cattle disease.

The cull is taking place within parts of the Forest of Dean, bordering with Herefordshire.

Gloucestershire Against Badgers Shooting will be deploying several groups of scouts along public footpaths close to known badger sets. Any injured badgers found will be taken to wildlife animal hospitals.

Liz Gaffer, spokeswoman for the group, said: "We will walk legally on public footpaths. This is not a protest, we will solely be looking for injured animals.

For the full story, read The Forester.