D-DAY has arrived for two battling Pensax farmers who have refused to allow their cattle to be slaughtered after they tested positive for bovine TB.

Margaret Booton and Samantha Qureshi were due in court today to plead for the eight cows - six of which are pregnant - to be spared.

Worcestershire trading standards has applied for a warrant to take the animals from Lower Snead Farm to be killed.

They tested positive for the disease last November but the farmers have campaigned for them to be re-tested, claiming the test is not 100 per cent accurate.

Miss Qureshi, who hand reared three of the cows as pets, also claimed the correct procedure governing the taking of the skin test was not carried out.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Defra - which referred the matter to trading standards, after Mrs Booton and Miss Quershi refused to give up the cows voluntarily, will not allow a second testing.

A spokesman for the State Veterinary Service, which carries out Defra's policies, said the initial test could cause the results of repeat testing to be skewed.

Miss Qureshi said: "We can't afford to employ a solicitor, so we will make our own representations to the judge.

"We have to remain positive but, at the end of the day, it will depend on the judge and whether he listens to us."

She added that if the warrant was issued, they would not stand in the way of its execution.