WILDLIFE carers in Burnham are “dismayed” at the start of a second wave of badger culling in Somerset and Gloucestershire.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre in East Huntspill has issued a statement condemning the cull.

The charity said: “Secret World Wildlife Rescue is dismayed by the Government’s intention to resume the culling of badgers in Somerset and Gloucestershire.

“Despite evidence showing that the 2013 cull was both ineffective and inhumane, up to 1,849 badgers will be shot in our countryside over the next few weeks.”

Environment Secretary Liz Truss has defended the cull, saying: “It is vital we work to make England bovine TB-free – doing nothing is not an option.”