A slaughterman is fighting for his life after being shot during the mass cull of livestock.

The 27-year-old man from Hastings was being treated for serious head injuries following an incident at Great Orton, near Carlisle in the worst affected region, Cumbria.

Another man from Warwickshire was treated for shock.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police confirmed that both men were involved in the killing of livestock at the mass burial site on the former airfield when the incident occurred.

Paramedics were called to Great Orton to treat the slaughterman. He was taken to Cumberland General Infirmary then later transferred to a hospital in Newcastle.

The spokesman said his condition was believed to be serious.

The other man involved was taken to hospital to be treated for shock.

Last night a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following the incident.

Two West Sussex hunt members are slaughtering animals in the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Andrew Walters and Tim Staines from the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt, left Sussex on Monday to help slaughter animals in Cumbria.

The men were responding to an urgent appeal from the Countryside Alliance for the loan of humane killers to stop a shortage that was hindering the culling.

An alliance spokesman said: "They have gone to Cumbria as well as three men from other hunts in Kent. We knew huntsmen would have the skills and resources necessary."