The first licence allowing farmers to cull badgers has been granted in Gloucestershire - with one expected to follow soon for parts of Somerset.

The government wants 70 percent of badgers in the two counties to be killed to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis - which they say is causing the death of cattle and costing the UK one hundred million pounds a year.

Animal welfare charities wanted widespread vaccination instead - but last week lost an appeal at the High Court.