CAMPAIGNERS opposed to the proposed badger cull have told the Review that elements of the protest organisations are "poised to take direct action".

First on their 'hit list' for activists in knitted badger suits will be selected locations near Tewkesbury, where Defra representatives are planning to shoot 70 per cent of badgers.

Overnight operations in the district have been monitored by both the police and by the animal rights campaigners, both of whom spent last weekend in tense manoeuvres as rumours and counter-rumours of planned shooting of badgers spread.

At two locations suited protestors were threatening to disrupt any attempt at shooting by placing themselves near to the setts and potentially endangering their own lives.

One badger-clad protestor, who lives in the Forest but who refused to be named, told the Review: "The talking is over. We've done everything we can to try and change the minds of those responsible, but they just won't budge."

He added: "In The Observer newspaper last Sunday there was a letter signed by 30 of the country's top experts in animal diseases which completely defeated any arguement that the Government has for the cull.

"They point out that the likely effects of this type of cull would be to increase the spread of bovine tuberculosis in cattle. This comes on top of a 100,000-plus e-petition against the cull, and both the Forest and Tewkesbury District Council's voting against having any part of this shameful killing of what are, in fact, protected animals."

Ominously, he warned Defra that his colleagues would "stop at nothing to stop the shooting of our local badgers. If we have to get between the guns and the badgers then so be it. They won't shoot if they think there is a chance they would hit one of us – the outcry would be huge and national."

Details of the locations of the proposed culls are still being kept a closely guarded secret by Defra, but indications suggest that the villages to the west of Tewkesbury may well be part of the proposed area earmarked for the shooting.