ANIMAL activists dressed as badgers and urged Worcester shoppers to oppose the badger cull.

Members of Worcestershire Vegans and Veggies set up stall outside the St John's branch of Sainsbury's distributing leaflets and collecting signatures on anti-cull postcards, which are to be sent to the government.

Ronald Lee, the group's communications officer, said: "We were delighted at the positive response from the public, who were queuing to sign against the cull.

"The vast majority of people in this country are opposed to the slaughter of badgers and are appalled that the government wants to authorise the killing of them nationwide.

"Thankfully more and more people are becoming vegan or vegetarian every year and many others are reducing their consumption of meat, fish, eggs and dairy out of concern for animals, the environment or their own health."

The Government states the reason for the badger cull is to prevent the spread of TB in cattle.

For more information on the Worcestershire Veggies and Vegans, visit worcsveg.org.uk