POLICE in black riot gear were called to break up a small unofficial group of badger-cull protesters who blocked historic Wilton Bridge on the outskirts of Ross-on-Wye.
The road-block began shortly ahead of a peaceful mass protest by badger groups from the Forest, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Gwent who were said to be "furious" that confrontational tactics were used.
Sarah Blenkinsop, speaking on behalf of the Herefordshire Badger Group, said: "At this point all badger group members left the scene of Wilton Bridge and moved as planned to locations several miles up the A49 to continue with our peaceful, legal roadside protest.
"The badger groups had nothing to do with the blocking of the road at Wilton Bridge.
"We had a good turnout along the A49, but obviously it is difficult to know whether more members of the public might have joined us, but were put off by the sit-in and the sight of so many police at our initial meeting point."
The roadside protest had been organised to draw attention to the suspicion that the Ministry of Agriculture was about to begin slaughtering badgers in Herefordshire as part of the controversial cull to establish links between the animals and bovine TB.
Sarah added: "We were really pleased to get a lot of support from those driving by us as we stood in the hot sun for several hours.
"Many drivers honked in sympathy and gave thumbs-up signals of support."