Farmers have called for a badger cull after eight cases of bovine tuberculosis (TB) were found in cattle last year.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) says each outbreak costs farmers thousand of pounds and claims herds nationally are being devastated.

Wildlife groups have objected to any badger cull, claiming it would not reduce the levels of bovine TB.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is expected to begin an eradication programme later this year.

A Defra spokesman said: “Bovine TB is a devastating disease.

Tackling it is complex so we need to ensure we get it right.’’ James Mulleneux, of the NFU, said: “Despite a huge amount of cattle control in terms of testing and culling there is still a reservoir of infection within the badger population