PLANS for a pilot badger cull in Gloucestershire has divided opinion.

Farmers and landowners in the trial area, which lies mainly within the Forest of Dean and Tewkesbury, will be able to apply for a licence for the controlled shooting of badgers.

It is aimed at curbing the spread of TB in cattle, which ministers say will cost taxpayers £1billion over the next 10 years if not dealt with effectively.

While some farmers are said to be encouraged by the news, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is "dismayed".

Trust chief executive Dr Gordon McGlone OBE, said: "We have been asked by local landowners and farmers for more information about how they can vaccinate badgers on their land as they do not believe that the cull is the long-term answer."

The trust published a report in October saying that if groups of landowners joined together to vaccinate badgers against TB, it would become more affordable with no associated negative impact.

In contrast, county beef farmer Charles Mann, chairman of Gloucestershire NFU, said he was encouraged by the pilot. He said: "The announcement is only the start. These are pilot areas to see how controlled shooting works."

On the likelihood of protests, Mr Mann said: "We don't want strife.

"We want to be able to have a rational look at a potential way of restricting the spread of the disease and reducing it.

"We cannot continue with an ever increasing cull of cattle.

"I hope it won't be an animal rights battle."

The six-week trial is expected to start in early autumn.