CHESHIRE Wildlife Trust has called on the public to support a new phase in their bovine TB badger vaccination programme.

The conservation charity has secured a grant of up to £25,000 from Defra to part-fund a scheme that would see a substantial expansion to their existing programme.

Cheshire is thought to be close to the leading edge of the spread of bTB in the UK and the Wildlife Trust believes this offers an opportunity to target areas for long-term badger immunity, helping to stem the northerly flow of the disease.

Richard Gardner, who has been leading on the Trust’s vaccination programme said: “This is an important financial boost to our efforts to demonstrate that vaccination has a pivotal role to play in turning the tide for bTB in Cheshire and the north west, however to get the full support of the farming community we would like the public to continue to get behind our campaign so we can secure the full 100 per cent of funds needed to keep our vaccination programme running into the years ahead.”

For more details go to cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/badgerappeal