Badger cull begins in Somerset and Gloucestershire despite protests

A controversial cull of badgers to try to stop the spread of tuberculosis in English cattle has started.

The pilot scheme in Somerset and Gloucestershire will see some 5,000 animals shot over six weeks.

Critics of the cull say it will not be effective and they've promised to stop what they're calling the slaughter of badgers.

Farmers are backing this action after many losing cattle to bovine TB - spread by badgers.

Jeremy Cooke reports from Somerset.