A wildlife conservation group has called for help to look after badger cubs whose parents could perish in a cull due to start in Devizes in the next few days.

The cull is taking place as part of whats is known as the Krebs Trials, to determine whether badgers are responsible for the spread of bovine tuberculosis.

But the Devizes-based Wildlife Consultancy is furious it is starting now, as female badgers are still nursing their young.

The cull is being carried out by officers from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Secretary of State Margaret Beckett recently announced a review of the Krebs Trials to see if it was worth going on with them.

But Malcolm Clark, of the Wildlife Consultancy expressed concern that it would be too late for some badger cubs.

He said: "Our primary concern is that badger cubs will be left to starve slowly after their mothers have been slaughtered.

"With a review of the trials about to start and all the evidence pointing to the early closure of the trial, it is utterly pointless to continue slaughtering badgers.

"It is disgusting that DEFRA should continue killing badgers when all the research shows that cattle and modern farming methods are to blame. The badger is simply a scapegoat to help the Government keep the farmers happy.

"The trials are costing the taxpayer a fortune, money that could be much better spent helping farmers resolve the TB problem."

But a spokesman for the National Farmers' Union said bovine TB levels were lower in areas where badgers were less numerous and that the trials were valuable in establishing once and for all whether there is a link between badgers and bovine TB.

Mr Clark said he expected DEFRA to be active shortly, particularly around Bromham, Bulkington, Erlestoke, Keevil, Marston, Potterne, Roundway, Rowde, Seend, Worton and in Devizes below the castle, at Broadleas and at Old Park.

He has appealed for people to watch for DEFRA workers in their area and to check their local badger setts.

If any cubs are found obviously abandoned, people are asked to call the badger line on 07796 515311.