BATTLE lines have been drawn in the fight to stop a pigeon cull in Trowbridge as animal rights campaigners descended on the town for the first in a series of targeted protests.

People travelled from across the south west for the first public protest against plans for a mass cull.

Shoppers in Fore Street witnessed the demonstrations on Saturday, aimed at enlisting public support.

Town councillors were once again warned they could face the wrath of hardline activists if a working group's proposal for a cull is sanctioned at a meeting next month.

Animal activists have targeted the town before, making bomb threats and hold ing disruptive protests at Pork Farm Bowyers, when the meat firm used an on-site abbatoir.

One expert said shock-tactic campaigners who regularly target animal testing laboratories, including Huntingdon Life Sciences in Cambridgeshire, could be drawn to Trowbridge if a cull is agreed.

Mike Haines, 48, who travelled from Cirencester, said: "I don't agree with these methods but I understand their concern.

"You try and make the councillors see sense and logic but they don't listen. You understand why people resort to drastic measures."

Mary Johnson, 32, from Bristol Animal Rights, said the idea behind demonstrations was to inform the public about the planned "massacre".

Justin Broadwith, 42, a protester with Bath Animal Action, said: "Where is the need for a cull? We only counted 20 pigeons on the way in to the town centre."

A large-scale protest is planned for the New Year with several animal rights groups from across the country planning to flood the council meeting on January 20.

Town councillor Tom James, who is bearing the brunt of the protesters' anger, said any verbal or written threats against him or his family would be taken to the police.